Correlation of biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the relationship of functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) parameters, including choline/creatine ratio (Cho/Cr) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) with protein expression of 10 common tumor and prognostic markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
Cross-sectional study.


METHODS
University hospital.


METHODS
The Cho/Cr and ADC obtained from 74 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were correlated with the expression level of the 10 protein markers as determined by immunohistochemistry.


RESULTS
Cho/Cr showed significant positive correlations with cyclooxygenase 2 in primary tumors (r = 0.714), and epidermal growth factor receptor in metastatic cervical lymph nodes (r = 0.522). ADC showed significant (r = -0.591) negative correlation with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 in metastatic cervical lymph nodes.


CONCLUSIONS
There are relationships between protein and functional MRI markers. Future research in this direction may improve our understanding of the cancer micro-environment.
Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. garytse@cuhk.edu.hk
Gary M
GM
Tse
Ann D
AD
King
Alex M C
AM
Yu
Christopher C F
CC
Lam
Anthony W H
AW
Chan
George G
GG
Chen
David K
DK
Yeung
Kwok-Hung
KH
Yu
Kunwar S
KS
Bhatia
Amy B W
AB
Chan
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D002794:Choline / Q000032:analysis; D003401:Creatine / Q000032:analysis; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2 / Q000096:biosynthesis; D038524:Diffusion Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000096:biosynthesis; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000737:chemistry / Q000503:physiopathology; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D009333:Neck; D011379:Prognosis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D051546:Cyclooxygenase 2; D066246:ErbB Receptors; D003401:Creatine; D002794:Choline