Role of Msi1 and MAML1 in Regulation of Notch Signaling Pathway in Patients with Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Purpose Developmental pathways such as Wnt and Notch are involved in different cellular functions from the cell cycle regulation to self-renewal. Therefore, aberrations in these pathways may cause tumorigenesis. Msi1 has a critical regulatory role for the Wnt and Notch pathways. In the present study, we have assessed the probable correlation between the Msi1 and MAML1 in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) progression and metastasis. Methods Levels of Msi1 and MAML1 mRNA expression in 51 ESCC patients were compared to the normal tissues using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Results Nine out of 51 (17.6 %) cases had Msi1/MAML1 overexpression, and there was a significant correlation between such overexpressed cases and tumor location ( p = 0.013). Conclusions We showed that there is not any direct correlation and feedback between the Msi1 and MAML1 in ESCC patients.