Laryngeal carcinoma recurrence rate and disease-free interval are related to CD105 expression but not to vascular endothelial growth factor 2 (Flk-1/Kdr) expression.
BACKGROUND
Tumour angiogenesis is the result of an inbalance between anti- and pro-angiogenic factors. CD105 (endoglin) is a component of the receptor complex of transforming growth factor (TGF-beta1). Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2 or Flk-1/KDR) belongs to the high-affinity VEGF receptors. The aim of the study was to investigate the expression, cellular localization and role of CD105 and VEGFR2 in laryngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
Sections of 62 laryngeal carcinomas were stained with CD105 and VEGFR2/Flk-1/KDR antibodies.


RESULTS
A significant association between CD105 expression and locoregional recurrence was found (p = 0.009). Interestingly, in N0 patients CD105 expression was significantly associated with locoregional recurrence of the carcinoma (p = 0.03). The log-rank test showed a significant difference in the disease-free interval in patients stratified according to CD105 expression (p = 0.02). Statistical analysis showed no significant associations between vessel endothelial cell or laryngeal carcinoma cell VEGFR2 expressions and recurrence of disease or disease-free intervals.


CONCLUSIONS
CD105 expression but not VEGFR2 expression correlated with carcinoma recurrence after treatment and shorter disease free interval. The CD105 expression may be useful to detect cervical node-negative patients with a higher risk of early laryngeal carcinoma recurrence.
Marioni
Gino
G
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Section of Otolaryngology, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35100 Padova, Italy. gino.marioni@unipd.it
Giacomelli
Luciano
L
D'Alessandro
Emiliano
E
Staffieri
Claudia
C
Guzzardo
Vincenza
V
Staffieri
Alberto
A
Blandamura
Stella
S
D000368:Aged; D015703:Antigens, CD / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D000071063:Endoglin; D042783:Endothelial Cells / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000201:enzymology / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D015703:Antigens, CD; C064206:ENG protein, human; D000071063:Endoglin; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D040301:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2