title: Differential biomarker expression in head and neck cancer correlates with anatomical localization.
abstract: We tested the expression of known (p16(ink4), Ki67, p53, EGFR) and a new immunohistochemical (collagen XVII/BP180) biomarker in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) of diverse anatomical localization. Tissue microarrays (TMA) of 124 SCC were created, immunostained, and analyzed following whole slide digitalization using the Pannoramic Scan and the TMA Module software (3DHISTECH Kft, Budapest, Hungary). Statistical analysis of scoring results was carried out using Pearson's chi-square test. We observed the significant elevation of p16(ink4) and Ki67 expression in supraglottic, tonsillar and tonsillo-lingual SCCs compared to those affecting the oral cavity, oropharynx without tonsils, larynx without supraglottis and the hypopharynx. This differential antigen expression may reflect the diverse route of embryologic differentiation followed by the affected regions except those of the tonsils and the supraglottis which show similar antigenic pattern but diverse developmental path. All the other biomarkers tested including p53, collagen XVII and EGFR were detected in the majority of cancers including high grade cases, but did not reveal any significant regional difference. Based on our results oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas may not be regarded as one entity. Concerning the oral cavity and the oropharynx, cancers affecting the tonsils (palatine and lingual) show significantly elevated p16(ink4) and Ki67 expression; so as the cancers of the supraglottis compared to the rest of larynx. Consequently, tonsillar and supraglottic cancers show similar biomarker profiles. Correlation of differential biomarker expression with diverse biological behavior in head and neck cancers need further investigations.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oto-Rhino-Laryngology, Jahn Ferenc Hospital, Budapest, Hungary. tamlaci@freemail.hu
authors.forename: László
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tamás
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Szentkúti
authors.forename: Mónika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eros
authors.forename: Kornél
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dános
authors.forename: Diána
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brauswetter
authors.forename: Béla
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Szende
authors.forename: Ivett
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zsákovics
authors.forename: Tibor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Krenács
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D006801:Humans; D007012:Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C512478:EGFR protein, human; D066246:ErbB Receptors