Intense CD44 expression is a negative prognostic factor in tonsillar and base of tongue cancer.
BACKGROUND
Patients with tonsillar and base of tongue cancer, which are human papillomavirus (HPV) positive, have a better clinical outcome than those with HPV-negative tumors. The identification of additional predictive markers for response to therapy could still be of great use.


METHODS
Tumor markers CD44, p16, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), E-cadherin, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX 2), Ki-67, and p27 were analyzed by immunochemistry, and HPV status was tested by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) in tumors from 73 patients and correlated to survival.


RESULTS
High intensity CD44 staining (p=0.006) and high EGFR expression (p=0.026) were indicators of poor prognosis, while high p16 expression (p=0.021) and younger age (p=0.002) were positive prognostic markers for disease-specific survival. Furthermore, staining of CD44 (p=0.026) and age (p=0.002) were shown to be strong prognostic markers in multivariate analysis, which should be evaluated further for possible use in clinical practice.
Center for Clinical Research Dalarna, Falun, Sweden. david.lindquist@onkologi.umu.se
David
D
Lindquist
Andreas
A
Ahrlund-Richter
Miklós
M
Tarján
Tibor
T
Tot
Tina
T
Dalianis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors / Q000378:metabolism*; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014066:Palatine Tonsil / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000821:virology; D027383:Papillomaviridae / Q000302:isolation & purification; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000821:virology
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C497483:CD44 protein, human; D018960:Hyaluronan Receptors