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Predictive value of cathepsin-D for cervical lymph node metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

AbstractBACKGROUND:
Prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is strongly associated with cervical lymph node metastasis. Cathepsin-D is a lysosomal protease expressed in all cells. Its role in extracellular matrix degradation is postulated to promote tumor invasion and metastasis. Increased cathepsin-D has been demonstrated in cervical lymph node metastasis in HNSCC.
METHODS:
Formalin fixed tumor biopsy samples from 34 patients with HNSCC of the oral cavity, oropharynx, or hypopharynx were analyzed for the presence of cathepsin-D by immunohistochemistry (1:8000, Calbiochem, Cambridge, MA). Tumors were considered positive if >50% of cells showed strong cytoplasmic staining.
RESULTS:
All patients had T1 or T2 lesions ranging in size from 1-4 cm and 19 (56%) had cervical metastasis. Eight (24%) were well differentiated and 26 (76%) were moderately or poorly differentiated. Thirteen tumors (38%) had high cathepsin-D expression that was strongly associated with cervical lymph node metastasis (p = 0.008). When adjusted for tumor stage and grade, cathepsin-D positivity was nearly twice as likely to be associated with node metastasis (p = 0.011).
CONCLUSIONS:
We demonstrated cathepsin-D expression in biopsies from a subset of patients with HNSCC and a strong association between this protease and cervical lymph node metastases. Cathepsin-D is a potential independent predictor of cervical lymph node metastasis in HNSCC and merits additional study.
AuthorsR Gandour-Edwards, B Trock, P J Donald
JournalHead & neck (Head Neck) Vol. 21 Issue 8 Pg. 718-22 (Dec 1999) ISSN: 1043-3074 [Print] United States
PMID10562684 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
CopyrightCopyright 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 21: 718-722, 1999.
Chemical References
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Cathepsin D
Topics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (chemistry, pathology)
  • Cathepsin D (analysis)
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Mouth Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology)
  • Neck
  • Pharyngeal Neoplasms (chemistry, pathology)
  • Predictive Value of Tests
  • Prognosis

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