[Immunohistochemical determination of cell cycle regulatory proteins. No prognostic significance in advanced squamous epithelial carcinomas of the head-neck area].
BACKGROUND
In recent years, a number of molecular markers have been tested for their potential to predict the outcome after radiotherapy or radiochemotherapy in patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). These studies have produced controversial results.


METHODS
The expression patterns of the proteins p53, pRb, cyclinD1, cdk4, p21(CIP1/WAF1), p16(INK4a), bcl-2, and mib-1/ki-67 were analyzed in pretreatment tumor biopsies of 53 patients with advanced nonresectable head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (mainly UICC IV). The patterns obtained were compared with clinical outcome after accelerated radiochemotherapy with carboplatin and 5-fluorouracil or accelerated fractionated radiotherapy alone, respectively.


RESULTS
The expression patterns of the proteins examined did not correlate with response to therapy or with further clinical course.


CONCLUSIONS
In patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas, the prognostic relevance of pretreatment expression patterns of the proteins investigated in this study, particularly p53, cyclinD1, and cdk4, has to be questioned.
Kunz
C
C
Universitäts-HNO-Klinik Heidelberg, Germany.
Bosch
F X
FX
Klein-Kühne
W
W
Nollert
J
J
Rudat
V
V
Conradt
C
C
Dietz
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010039:Otorhinolaryngologic Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins