title: Relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Alternative splicing of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene results in a family of antiangiogenic isoforms (VEGFxxx b), not yet investigated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We examined, therefore, the prognostic value of the relative expression of VEGF isoforms in SCCHN.
  
  
  METHODS
  A tissue microarray comprising 187 SCCHNs was studied by immunohistochemistry with total VEGF (panVEGF) and VEGFxxx b-specific antibodies, and scored by 2 assessors for intensity and proportion. Scores were combined and expression ratios calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No meaningful significant differences were observed between panVEGF, VEGFxxx b, or expression ratio, and presence of lymphatic metastasis, or overall survival. This held true when tumor subsites were analyzed independently and when human papillomavirus (HPV) was accounted for in the oropharyngeal subgroup.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Differential VEGF isoform expression is not a reliable prognostic biomarker for either the clinically node negative/pathologically node-positive neck or overall survival in pharyngeal and laryngeal SCCHNs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Liverpool Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.|Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Wilkie
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Liverpool Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Maxine S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Emmett
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Shilpa
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Santosh
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Kathryn A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Lightbody
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Steven
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lane
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Paul W
authors.initials: PW
authors.lastname: Goodyear
authors.affiliation: Department of Pathology, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Jon D
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Sheard
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Liverpool Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Mark T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Boyd
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Liverpool Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Rowan O
authors.initials: RO
authors.lastname: Pritchard-Jones
authors.affiliation: Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine, Liverpool Cancer Research Centre, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, United Kingdom.|Department of Otorhinolaryngology - Head and Neck Surgery, University Hospital Aintree, Liverpool, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: Terence M
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Jones
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017398:Alternative Splicing; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D020033:Protein Isoforms / Q000378:metabolism; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D015996:Survival Rate; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D020033:Protein Isoforms; C467484:VEGFA protein, human; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A
keywords: alternative splicing; analysis; diagnosis vascular endothelial growth factor A; head and neck neoplasms; immunohistochemistry; pathology lymphatic metastasis