title: Laryngeal carcinoma lymph node metastasis and disease-free survival correlate with MASPIN nuclear expression but not with EGFR expression: a series of 108 cases.
abstract: Despite advances in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) treatment, patient survival has not improved in the last two decades. Novel, more effective strategies should be based on receptor-mediated LSCC-targeted therapy. The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is the most widely studied molecular target. MASPIN multifaceted anti-tumor effects have been rarely evaluated in LSCC. The aims of this study were to investigate EGFR and MASPIN expression and the role of sub-cellular MASPIN localization in LSSC. MASPIN and EGFR expression and the sub-cellular localization of MASPIN were assessed using a computerized image analysis system in 108 consecutive cases of operable LSCC. The rates of occurrence of lymph node metastases and recurrent disease were lower in patients with a nuclear pattern of MASPIN expression (p = 0.004, p = 0.0028). As expected, the loco-regional recurrence rate was lower in N0 patients (p = 0.009), but the disease recurrence rate was even lower in N0 patients with a nuclear localization of MASPIN (p = 0.020). Disease-free survival was longer in cases of LSCC with a nuclear MASPIN pattern (p = 0.003). The intensity of EGFR reactivity and the EGFR area fraction were unrelated to the clinico-pathological and prognostic parameters in LSCC. A nuclear MASPIN pattern is a promising prognostic indicator in LSCC, but further evidence is needed before elective neck dissection can be considered for cN0 LSCCs with a non-nuclear MASPIN pattern. Although a better understanding of the mechanisms behind sub-cellular MASPIN localization is mandatory, re-activating nuclear MASPIN in association with specific chemotherapeutic agents may be an important goal in the treatment of LSCC.
authors.affiliation: Otolaryngology Section, Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, University of Padova, Via Giustiniani 2, 35128 Padua, Italy. gino.marioni@unipd.it
authors.forename: Gino
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Marioni
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Staffieri
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bertolin
authors.forename: Luciano
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Giacomelli
authors.forename: Emiliano
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Alessandro
authors.forename: Giancarlo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Ottaviano
authors.forename: Daria
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Accordi
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Stramare
authors.forename: Cosimo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: de Filippis
authors.forename: Stella
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Blandamura
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001706:Biopsy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D007825:Laryngectomy; D007828:Laryngoscopy; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D015843:Serpins / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: C085344:SERPIN-B5; D015843:Serpins; D066246:ErbB Receptors