Prognostic significance of vascular endothelial growth factor protein levels in oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (VEGF) promotes angiogenesis in many different tumor types. VEGF levels may affect tumor growth, metastatic potential, and response to radiotherapy. This study assesses the prognostic value of VEGF protein levels in a cohort of patients with oral and oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The relationships between clinical outcome and the covariables of tumor-node-metastasis stage, disease stage (I to IV), grade, margin status, race, sex, and age were also determined.


METHODS
Chart review identified 77 patients with oral or oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma treated with gross total surgical resection and postoperative radiation between 1981 and 1992. Sufficient follow-up data and tumor tissue were available in 56 patients (73%). VEGF protein levels were determined using immunohistochemistry. The association between VEGF status, covariables, and outcome was assessed in a bivariate and multivariate model using two-sided statistical tests.


RESULTS
Twenty-three tumors (41%) were positive for VEGF expression. VEGF-positive tumors were more likely to recur locally (relative risk [RR] = 3.08; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.03 to 9.24) and distantly (RR = 4.62; 95% CI, 1.41 to 15.10). In bivariate analysis, VEGF positivity was the most significant predictor of poor disease-free survival (RR = 2.66; 95% CI, 1.27 to 5.56) and overall survival (RR = 3.21; 95% CI, 1.63 to 6.32). In multivariate analysis, VEGF positivity was the most significant predictor of poor disease-free survival (RR = 2.75; 95% CI, 1.30 to 5.79) and overall survival (RR = 3.53; 95% CI, 1.75 to 7.13).


CONCLUSIONS
In this cohort, VEGF positivity was the most significant predictor of poor prognosis. VEGF status may prove to be an important prognostic factor in head and neck cancer.
Smith
B D
BD
Departments of Therapeutic Radiology, Pathology, and Otolaryngology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520-8040, USA.
Smith
G L
GL
Carter
D
D
Sasaki
C T
CT
Haffty
B G
BG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D015331:Cohort Studies; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008222:Lymphokines / Q000378:metabolism*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D016019:Survival Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors
D016228:Endothelial Growth Factors; D008222:Lymphokines; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A; D042442:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factors