Based on our previous finding that protease-activated receptor 2 (PAR-2) regulates hemophagocytosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cells, which induces their heme oxygenase 1-dependent keratinization, we have formulated a hypothesis that PAR-2 functions in wider activities of SCC cells.
The LL genotype and L-allele carrying genotypes (LL+LS) of HO-1 (GT)n repeat polymorphism are potential genetic factors for developing squamous cell carcinoma.
These findings further support the proposition that high heme oxygenase-1 expression in oral SCCs can be useful in identifying patients at low risk of lymph node metastasis.