Prognostic significance of prostaglandin E2 production in fresh tissues of head and neck cancer patients.
BACKGROUND
Immunosuppressive prostaglandins may play a role in the biologic behavior of head and neck cancer. Increased levels of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) have been measured in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN).


METHODS
To address this question, tissue levels of PGE2 were measured in tumor tissues, normal mucosa, and lymph nodes of 37 patients undergoing tumor resections. Tissue specimens were placed in culture media, and levels of PGE2 released into the supernatant were measured by radioimmunoassay.


RESULTS
Tissue levels of PGE2 were significantly greater in tumor and normal mucosal tissues compared to lymph nodes (p = 0.0003). There was no difference between metastatic and tumor-free lymph nodes. Although tumor tissue levels of PGE2 were not associated with tumor stage, increased levels of PGE2 were associated with increased 2-year disease-free survival (p = 0.02).


CONCLUSIONS
Although PGE2 may have adverse effects on local immune function in tumor tissues, improved survival of patients with increased local PGE2 production may be indicative of an enhanced immunologic response to the tumor which has a favorable impact on outcome.
Snyderman
C H
CH
Department of Otolaryngology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pennsylvania 15213, USA.
Milanovich
M
M
Wagner
R L
RL
Johnson
J T
JT
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011863:Radioimmunoassay
D015415:Biomarkers; D015232:Dinoprostone