The gamma2 chain of laminin-5 as an indicator of increased risk for recurrence in T1 stage tongue cancer.
BACKGROUND
Treatment of small, localized tongue cancer is an act of balance between sufficiently extensive surgery and/or radiotherapy for safe cure, and minimizing treatment-related morbidity. The biological aggressiveness of these cancers is variable and conventional histopathology does not give sufficient information concerning the risk for local or regional recurrence. Laminin-5 is an extracellular matrix protein noted to have special importance for epithelial cell invasion.


METHODS
We investigated 43 diagnostic biopsies from patients with T1 tongue cancer treated with wedge excision only. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a polyclonal antibody against the gamma2 chain of laminin-5.


RESULTS
Thirty-six specimens were evaluated and 16 patients had a recurrence. A staining pattern of 50% or more was seen in the majority of patients (75%) with tumor recurrence and in fewer patients (45%) without recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
In order to optimize treatment for the individual T1 tongue cancer patient, immunostaining against laminin-5 appears to be one possible useful tool.
Stoltzfus
Patricia
P
Department of Oncology and Pathology, Cancer Center Karolinska, Karolinska Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden. patricia.stoltzfus@cck.ki.se
Högmo
Anders
A
Lindholm
Johan
J
Aspenblad
Ulla
U
Auer
Gert
G
Munck-Wikland
Eva
E
D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002454:Cell Differentiation / Q000502:physiology; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007797:Laminin / Q000378:metabolism*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012307:Risk Factors; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*
C400567:LAMC2 protein, human; D007797:Laminin