Expression of matriptase correlates with tumour progression and clinical prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

Aims: To investigate the relationship of matriptase expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) to clinicopathological characteristics, patient survival and cell-invasive properties. Methods and results: Matriptase expression in OSCC was evaluated by immunohistochemical staining, and its relationship to clinicopathological features and outcomes was assessed statistically. The shRNA-mediated stable knockdown of matriptase in OSCC cells was used to analyse cell proliferation, migration and invasion in vitro. Matriptase immunostaining score was correlated with histopathological grade, clinical stage, positive lymph node and distant metastasis, and higher matriptase immunostaining score was associated significantly with poor prognosis. Elevated matriptase expression in oral cancer cell lines was a significant promoter of oral cancer cell migration and invasion. Conclusions: Matriptase expression correlates with tumour progression and invasive capability in OSCC and may be an adverse prognostic marker for this cancer.