High expressions of CD105 and VEGF in early oral cancer predict potential cervical metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
Although elective neck dissection has become a popular treatment modality for early oral cancer among most head and neck surgeons, a large portion of patients revealed pathological N0 postoperatively. Our study is aimed to evaluate the expressions of the angiogenic factors, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and CD105 (endoglin) on the prediction of neck metastasis for clinical N0 patients in early oral cancer.


METHODS
Between July 1996 and July 2005, the preoperative biopsy specimens among 176 patients who underwent surgical treatment for early oral cancer were retrieved for the immunohistochemical study for VEGF and CD105.


RESULTS
High expressions of CD105 and VEGF significantly correlated with positive nodal metastasis, respectively (P<0.001). The expression of CD105 also significantly correlated with that of VEGF (P<0.001). Furthermore, the sensitivity and specificity for prediction of cervical metastasis by high expressions of CD105 versus VEGF were 81.8% and 97.7% versus 93.2% and 72%, respectively. Low expression of CD105 and VEGF also significantly correlated with higher survival rate, respectively (P<0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Besides the image studies, the expressions of both CD105 and VEGF could be useful to guide the elective treatment for clinical N0 neck in early oral cancer.
Chien
Chih-Yen
CY
Department of Otolaryngology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Su
Chih-Ying
CY
Hwang
Chung-Feng
CF
Chuang
Hui-Ching
HC
Chen
Ching-Mei
CM
Huang
Chao-Cheng
CC
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis; D000071063:Endoglin; D005544:Forecasting; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D015996:Survival Rate; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015703:Antigens, CD; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A