biostudies-literatureSeidensaal KSwiss National Science FoundationDeutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DE)Dr. Mildred Scheel Stiftung für KrebsforschungSchweizerische Nationalfonds zur Förderung der Wissenschaftlichen Forschung (CH)204https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC4669670biostudies-literatureUnknown14<h4>Background</h4>An inverse correlation between expression of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 subfamily A2 (ALDH1A2) and gene promoter methylation has been identified as a common feature of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Moreover, low ALDH1A2 expression was associated with an unfavorable prognosis of OPSCC patients, however the causal link between reduced ALDH1A2 function and treatment failure has not been addressed so far.<h4>Methods</h4>Serial sections from tissue microarrays of patients with primary OPSCC (n = 101) were stained by immunohistochemistry for key regulators of retinoic acid (RA) signaling, including ALDH1A2. Survival with respect to these regulators was investigated by univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression proportional hazard modelsMolecular cancerImpaired aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 subfamily member 2A-dependent retinoic acid signaling is related with a mesenchymal-like phenotype and an unfavorable prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.PMC4669670144267310030L_144267/1HE 5760/3-1SFB1118112067Grabe NMuller MWeber KJHess JWeichert WSeidensaal KNollert AFleming TZaoui KFeige AHGunkel NPlinkert PSimon CfalseImpaired aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 subfamily member 2A-dependent retinoic acid signaling is related with a mesenchymal-like phenotype and an unfavorable prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.<h4>Background</h4>An inverse correlation between expression of the aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 subfamily A2 (ALDH1A2) and gene promoter methylation has been identified as a common feature of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Moreover, low ALDH1A2 expression was associated with an unfavorable prognosis of OPSCC patients, however the causal link between reduced ALDH1A2 function and treatment failure has not been addressed so far.<h4>Methods</h4>Serial sections from tissue microarrays of patients with primary OPSCC (n = 101) were stained by immunohistochemistry for key regulators of retinoic acid (RA) signaling, including ALDH1A2. Survival with respect to these regulators was investigated by univariate Kaplan-Meier analysis and multivariate Cox regression proportional hazard models2015-01-01T00:00:00Z2015 Dec2026-06-09T06:46:45.437Z2025-05-29T21:22:55.502ZS-EPMC46696702663424710.1186/s12943-015-0476-0