[Molecular alterations in nodal metastases and its primary tumors in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx].
OBJECTIVE
The successive acquisition of molecular alterations determines tumour progression. During this progression, the development of nodal metastases is one of the most important prognostic factors in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The aim of this study is to analyze if, in these carcinomas, the molecular alterations in the nodal metastases are different from those present in the primary tumour.


METHODS
Paired samples of primary tumour and nodal metastases from 51 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were studied. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed the expression of p53, E-cadherin, FAK, annexin A2 and HIF-1a proteins. In addition, the apoptotic index (measuring activated caspase-3) and the degree of vascularization (identified by CD34 antigen expression) were also studied.


RESULTS
A close correlation in the expression of the proteins studied was observed in the nodal metastases and the corresponding primary tumour, with the exception of HIF-1a expression and the degree of vascularization.


CONCLUSIONS
Most of the molecular alterations in the nodal metastases are already present in the primary tumour, suggesting that these alterations are early events in carcinogenesis.
Rodrigo
Juan Pablo
JP
Servicio de Otorrinolaringología, Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias, Instituto Universitario de Oncología del Principado de Asturias (IUOPA), Universidad de Oviedo, Oviedo, Asturias, Spain. juanpablo.rodrigo@sespa.princast.es
Cabanillas
Rubén
R
Chiara
María Dolores
MD
García Pedrero
Juana
J
Florentino Fresno
Manuel
M
Suárez Nieto
Carlos
C
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000556:secondary*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis
D009363:Neoplasm Proteins