The usefulness of new serum tumor markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the usefulness of specific and reliable serum biomarkers to predict cervical lymph node metastasis.


METHODS
A cross-sectional study of cases and controls. Thirty-nine serum samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were collected from patients during neoplasm resection. Another 10 serum samples were collected from healthy individuals as a control group. Selected serum biomarkers were E-cadherin, MMP-2, MMP-9, active MMP-13, and p53 autoantibodies.


RESULTS
We found a correlation between active MMP-13 (>685 pg/mL; ROC curve analysis 95% CI for sensitivity 79.6-99.3; specificity 49.2-95.1; positive predictive value 65-100; and negative predictive value 36-100) as well as the presence of p53 autoantibodies and lymph node metastasis. Multimarker analysis using MMP-13 and p53 autoantibodies together provided better sensitivity (76%) and specificity (100%).


CONCLUSIONS
The combined determination of active MMP-13 and p53 autoantibodies could improve diagnosis of lymphatic metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and aid therapeutic decision making.
Marcos
César Alvarez
CA
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Valle del Nalón Langreo, Oviedo, Spain. alvarezmarcos@telefonica.net
Martínez
Daniel Al Kassam
DA
de Los Toyos
Juan Ramón
JR
Domínguez Iglesias
Francisco
F
Hermsen
Mario
M
Guervós
Marta Alonso
MA
Pendás
José Luis Llorente
JL
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015820:Cadherins / Q000097:blood; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 / Q000097:blood*; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 / Q000097:blood; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 / Q000097:blood; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000276:immunology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D015820:Cadherins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D053509:Matrix Metalloproteinase 13; D020778:Matrix Metalloproteinase 2; D020780:Matrix Metalloproteinase 9