Deletions of N33, STK11 and TP53 are involved in the development of lymph node metastasis in larynx and pharynx carcinomas.
BACKGROUND
Lymph node metastasis is the mayor cause of mortality in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (45%). The genetic changes underlying metastasis are still largely unknown and genetic markers to predict lymph node positivity still need to be found. The aim of this study was to search such markers by using Multiplex Ligation-dependent Probe Amplification (MLPA), a semi-quantitative PCR technique to detect gene copy number alterations.


METHODS
Thirty-seven genes were analysed by MLPA in 34 larynx and 22 pharynx carcinomas.


RESULTS
Losses of CDKN2A (9p21) and MLH1 (3p22) and gains of CCND1, EMS1 (both at 11q13), RECQL4 and PTP4A3 (both at 8q24) were the most frequent aberrations in both larynx and pharynx carcinomas. Amplifications were detected at EMS1, CCND1 and ERBB2 (17q21). A correlation between loss of N33 (8p22) and poor survival was found (p=0.02). Gain of EMS1 had the same relation with survival but not significant (p=0.08). Lymph node positive tumors presented a specific pattern of genetic alterations, with losses of N33, STK11 (19p13) and TP53 (17p13), the latter especially in larynx tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
We propose that these 3 genes might play a role in the development of metastasis in larynx and pharynx squamous cell carcinomas.
Guervós
Marta Alonso
MA
Department of Otolaryngology, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Oviedo, Spain. maguervos@yahoo.es
Marcos
César Alvarez
CA
Hermsen
Mario
M
Nuño
Andrés Sampedro
AS
Suárez
Carlos
C
Llorente
José Luis
JL
D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005784:Gene Amplification; D017353:Gene Deletion; D006801:Humans; D053208:Kaplan-Meier Estimate; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010610:Pharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases / Q000235:genetics*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000235:genetics*
D008565:Membrane Proteins; C524338:TUSC3 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D017346:Protein Serine-Threonine Kinases; C109790:STK11 protein, human; D000091162:AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases