[Diagnostic value of E-cadherin, MMP-9, activated MMP-13 and anti-p53 antibodies in squamous cell carcinomas of head and neck].
OBJECTIVE
Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignant tumor of epithelial origin, which currently represents a major socio-sanitary problem since about 500,000 new cases are reported worldwide every year. In Spain, the HNSCC incidence exceeds 40 cases out of 100.000 individuals/year. HNSCC mortality is closely related to both local relapse and regional or distant lymphatic metastasis. Any reliable tumor-specific biomarker to predict preoperatively HNSCC relapse or lymphatic spread is not currently available. To date, several diagnostic procedures (imaging technologies, biochemical markers) have not shown enough potential to predict the presence of lymph node metastasis. There are new tumor markers related to the metastatic spread that have not been yet evaluated in HNSCC. The main goals of the present study was to determine an specific and reliable serum biomarkers pattern for HNSCC diagnosis, and to predict the HNSCC evolution before surgical therapy by developing appropriate biomarkers related to local relapse and lymphatic metastasis.


METHODS
Thirty nine serum samples of HNSCC patients were collected during every neoplasm resection. Another 10 serum samples were collected from healthy individuals as a control group. Selected serum biomarkers were: soluble E-cadherine, metalloproteinases (MMP) 2, MMP-9, active MMP-13; and Ac anti-p53.


RESULTS
High serum levels of soluble E-cadherine, MMP-9, active MMP-13, and presence Ac anti-p53 were found to be significantly different from those in the control group. There was a statistic association with MMP-2 levels below 290 ng/ml and poor survival. We also found significant differences between active MMP-13 (levels > 685 pg/ml) and the presence of anti-p53 antibodies with the presence of lymph node metastasis. The multimarker analysis using both tumor markers provided the better sensibility (76%) and specifity (100%) values.


CONCLUSIONS
The combined determination and valuation of tumor markers could improve the potential diagnosis of lymph node metastasis in HNSCC.
Al Kassam
Daniel
D
Servicio de Análisis Clínicos, Hospital del Valle de Nalón, Langreo, Principado de Asturias, España. danielalka@hotmail.com
Alvarez Marcos
César
C
Blanco
Ignacio
I
de Los Toyos
Juan Ramón
JR
Llorente
José Luis
JL
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000918:Antibody Specificity; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000097:blood* / Q000276:immunology; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / Q000097:blood*; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000276:immunology*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9