title: High p16 expression predicts a positive response to chemoradiotherapy in stage IVa/b head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of p16 expression on response to chemoradiation in stage IVa/b head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  We retrospectively identified 64 patients with stage IVa/b HNSCC who received chemoradiation. Eligibility criteria included presence of biopsy-proven stage IVa/b HNSCC without a prior history of chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Immunohistochemistry was used to assess p16 protein expression in pretreatment biopsy specimens.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 64 patients, 38 showed high p16 expression, and 50 patients responded to chemoradiotherapy, 32 exhibiting a complete and 18 a partial response. Response was significantly associated with p16 expression (P < 0.001) and multivariate analysis indicated that that p16 expression (HR: 2.62, 95%C.I.: 1.14-6.06; P=0.024) was an independent prognostic factor for overall survival.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High p16 expression predicts a better response to chemoradiation in patients with stage IVa/b HNSCC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology,Cancer Center, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Kaohsiung Medical Center, Kaohsiung, Taiwan. taijanchiu@163.com
authors.forename: Yi-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kun-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: Chih-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Fu-Min
authors.initials: FM
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Tai-Lin
authors.initials: TL
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Tai-Jan
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chiu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D001918:Brachytherapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil