PH20: a novel tumor marker for laryngeal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To determine whether levels of PH-20, a hyaluronidase similar to that found in human sperm, are elevated in laryngeal cancer tissue.


METHODS
In this case-control study. reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to measure levels of PH-20 messenger RNA in tissue taken from laryngectomy specimens.


METHODS
A university medical center.


METHODS
We compared tissue samples taken from 11 patients with laryngeal cancer, and from 2 metastatic lymph nodes, with samples of normal, healthy laryngeal tissue and prostate cancer tissue (positive control).


METHODS
PH-20 complementary DNA expression as quantified by densitometric analysis.


RESULTS
Expression of PH-20 was significantly higher in nonirradiated laryngeal cancer specimens than in normal laryngeal tissue (P<.01). Metastatic lymph nodes also had higher levels of PH-20 expression than did primary laryngeal cancer tissue (P = .11) and normal laryngeal tissue (P<.01). Irradiated laryngeal cancer specimens had PH-20 levels comparable to normal.


CONCLUSIONS
We report the first data on PH-20 expression in laryngeal cancer tissue. PH-20 expression is significantly elevated in primary laryngeal cancer tissue and seems to be even higher in metastatic lesions compared with normal laryngeal tissue. PH-20 may be a useful tumor marker and prognostic tool for laryngeal cancer.
Godin
D A
DA
Department of Otolaryngology--Head and Neck Surgery, Tulane University School of Medicine, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA.
Fitzpatrick
P C
PC
Scandurro
A B
AB
Belafsky
P C
PC
Woodworth
B A
BA
Amedee
R G
RG
Beech
D J
DJ
Beckman
B S
BS
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D007830:Larynx / Q000473:pathology; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015815:Cell Adhesion Molecules; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; C066852:hyaluronidase PH-20