[Prognostic significance of the expression of adhesion molecules E-cadherin, Cd44s and CD44V6 in supraglottic squamous carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To establish the prognostic significance of the expression of adhesion molecules E-cadherin, CD44s and CD44v6 in squamous cell carcinomas of the supraglottic larynx.


METHODS
The expression of the studied molecules was determined by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded tissue specimens from 101 patients.


RESULTS
The expression of the three molecules was reduced in carcinomas compared to normal epithelium. The cases with recurrence showed an E-cadherin and CD44s expression significantly lower than those cases without recurrence. Reduced expression of any of the three molecules correlated with a decrease in survival, although the differences were not significant. In multivariate analysis only nodal stage (N) was an independent prognostic factor.


CONCLUSIONS
Although reduced expression of E-cadherin, CD44s and CD44v6 seems to be related to a poor prognosis in supraglottic squamous cell carcinomas, these changes do not offer a useful adjunct to current prognostic indicators.
Rodrigo Tapia
J P
JP
Servicio de ORL, Hospital Central de Asturias, Oviedo. jrodrigo@hcas.sespa.es
Domínguez Iglesias
F
F
Alvarez Marcos
C
C
González Meana
M V
MV
García Pedrero
J
J
Suárez Nieto
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm / Q000276:immunology; D015820:Cadherins / Q000276:immunology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000276:immunology*; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000473:pathology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis
D000912:Antibodies, Neoplasm; C112697:CD44v6 antigen; D015820:Cadherins; D006023:Glycoproteins; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors