Influence of the VEGF-A 936C>T germinal polymorphism on tumoral VEGF expression in head and neck cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Elevated tumoral vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGF-A) expression is linked to poor survival in head and neck cancer patients. The aim of the present study was to analyze the influence of VEGF-A gene polymorphisms on tumoral VEGF-A expression and to test their prognostic value in head and neck cancer patients.


METHODS
VEGF-A polymorphisms at position -2578C>A, -1498T>C, -1154G>A, -634G>C and 936C>T were analyzed (PCR-RFLP) in tumoral DNA, along with tumoral VEGF-A expression (ELISA), in 49 Caucasian head and neck cancer patients.


RESULTS
A trend towards a difference in tumoral VEGF-A expression depending on 936C>T polymorphism was observed, with a median at 540 pg/mg prot in CT + TT patients (n = 5) versus 940 pg/mg prot in CC patients (n = 44) (p = 0.064). VEGF-A expression was not related to any other polymorphism. Unlike tumoral VEGF-A expression, the analyzed genotypes were not related to patient survival.


CONCLUSIONS
As opposed to tumoral VEGF-A expression, VEGF-A gene polymorphisms are not of prognostic value in head and neck cancer patients. Further studies aimed at confirming the influence of VEGF-A 936C>T germinal polymorphism on tumoral VEGF-A expression are needed.
Formento
Jean-Louis
JL
Oncopharmacology Unit, Centre Antoine Lacassagne, 06189 Nice Cedex 2, France.
Etienne-Grimaldi
Marie-Christine
MC
Francoual
Mireille
M
Pagès
Gilles
G
Onesto
Cercina
C
Formento
Patricia
P
Chamorey
Emmanuel
E
Dassonville
Olivier
O
Poissonnet
Gilles
G
Milano
Gérard
G
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D005787:Gene Frequency; D005838:Genotype; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A