Clinicopathologic significance of CD105 expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx.
BACKGROUND
Induction of angiogenesis is a key process in tumor growth and metastasis. We studied the CD105 (endoglin) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hypopharyngeal cancer to evaluate their clinicopathologic significance.


METHODS
Seventy-three patients who underwent complete excision of hypopharyngeal cancer were included in this study. Clinicopathologic data were collected retrospectively. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed with antibodies of CD105 and VEGF. Positive-stained microvessels for CD105 were counted on hot spots of tumors. The staining intensity for VEGF was also evaluated.


RESULTS
High expression of CD105 correlated significantly with positive nodal metastasis (p < .001) and TNM stage (p < .01). High expression of VEGF correlated significantly with advanced tumor (T) classification (p < .01). The overall 5-year survival rate was worse in patients with higher CD105 expression (p < .001), advanced TNM stage (p < .01), advanced T classification (p < .01), and positive nodal metastasis (p < .001). Furthermore, Cox regression analysis revealed that CD105 expression in microvessels of tumor tissue, advanced T classification, and nodal status were independent factors for survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that expression of CD105 is a useful predictive prognostic factor in hypopharyngeal cancer.
Chien
Chih-Yen
CY
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Su
Chih-Ying
CY
Hwang
Chung-Feng
CF
Chuang
Hui-Ching
HC
Hsiao
Yea-Chyang
YC
Wu
Shu-Ling
SL
Huang
Chao-Cheng
CC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D000071063:Endoglin; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000378:metabolism; D011379:Prognosis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A