Antiangiogenic effects of radiotherapy but not initial microvessel density predict survival in inoperable oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the predictive value of intratumoral microvessel density (MVD) in patients with locally advanced, primarily inoperable oropharyngeal cancer (OPCC) treated with irradiation alone.


METHODS
Tumor samples of 35 patients with OPCC subjected to radiotherapy were taken before and after 20 Gy irradiation. Histological grade, mitotic activity index and MVD of OPCC were determined. Correlations with response and survival were analyzed.


RESULTS
Stage and posttreatment MVD decrease showed significant correlation with objective response. Postirradiation MVD decrease correlated significantly with response to irradiation and overall survival, and a trend could be seen for progression-free survival.


CONCLUSIONS
This study has shown that the change in MVD after irradiation can be an indicator of the success of radiotherapy in locally advanced OPCC, and may serve as a predictive factor thus helping to select patients who could benefit from more aggressive treatment.
Lövey
József
J
Department of Radiotherapy, National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary.
Lukits
Júlia
J
Remenár
Eva
E
Koronczay
Krísztina
K
Kásler
Miklós
M
Németh
György
G
Tímár
József
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000473:pathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods*; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors