title: Midkine neurite growth-promoting factor 2 expression as a potential prognostic marker of adjuvant therapy in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The prognostic function of neurite growth-promoting factor 2 (Midkine (MK)) in adjuvant treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear. This study examined whether MK expression may predict treatment response and survival in resectable HNSCC patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this retrospective study, MK expression in 144 HNSCC patients was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. A subset of patients (n = 10) had MK expression levels analyzed by western blot and semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction. Data were analyzed using the Log-rank test and α = 0.05.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Expression of MK was associated with poorer five-year progression-free and overall survival rates in HNSCC patients (p = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MK might play an important role in the progression of HNSCC and may be a useful prognostic factor.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chang Gung University College of Medicine , Kaohsiung , Taiwan .
authors.forename: Tai-Jan
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chiu
authors.forename: Yi-Ju
authors.initials: YJ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Kun-Ming
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Rau
authors.forename: Chang-Han
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Chih-Yen
authors.initials: CY
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Shau-Hsuan
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Hsin-Ting
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Tsai
authors.forename: Hock-Liew
authors.initials: HL
authors.lastname: Eng
mesh_terms: D001483:Base Sequence; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000378:metabolism*; D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D017931:DNA Primers; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D000078792:Midkine; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors / Q000378:metabolism*; D011379:Prognosis; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D017931:DNA Primers; C066254:MDK protein, human; D009414:Nerve Growth Factors; D000078792:Midkine