Intense CD44 expression is a negative prognostic factor in tonsillar and base of tongue cancer

• BACKGROUND: Patients with tonsillar and base of tongue cancer, which are human papillomavirus (HPV) positive, have a better clinical outcome than those with HPV-negative tumors. The identification of additional predictive markers for response to therapy could still be of great use.MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor markers CD44, p16, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-cadherin, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2), Ki-67, and p27 were analyzed by immunochemistry, and HPV status was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in tumors from 73 patients and correlated to survival.RESULTS: High intensity CD44 staining (p=0.006) and high EGFR expression (p=0.026) were indicators of poor prognosis, while high p16 expression (p=0.021) and younger age (p=0.002) were positive prognostic markers for disease-specific survival. Furthermore, staining of CD44 (p=0.026) and age (p=0.002) were shown to be strong prognostic markers in multivariate analysis, which should be evaluated further for possible use in clinical practice.

Ämnesord

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin -- Cancer och onkologi (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine -- Cancer and Oncology (hsv//eng)

Nyckelord

Tonsillar cancer

CD44

p16

EGFR

VEGF

p27

Oncology

onkologi

Publikations- och innehållstyp

ref (ämneskategori)

art (ämneskategori)