Elevated levels of circulating endothelial progenitor cells in head and neck cancer patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES:

Measurement of circulating endothelial cells (CECs) and progenitor cells (EPCs) has potential as a surrogate marker for monitoring anticancer treatment. This study evaluated the significance of CECs and EPCs in the blood of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

METHODS:

In a prospective trial fresh blood samples from 22 tumor patients and 18 controls were tested using multiparametric flow-cytometry. CECs were defined as CD31(+)/CD146(+) and CD45(-)/7AAD(-). EPCs were defined as CD133(+)/KDR(+) and CD3(-)/CD19(-)/CD33(-)/7AAD(-).

RESULTS:

Median levels (min/max) of CECs in the tumor group were 2 (0/5) at the time of diagnosis, 1 (0/5) 1 year after therapy and 2 (0/6) in the control cohort. Median levels of EPCs were 5 (1/41) before and 10 (0/21) after treatment in the tumor group compared to 2 (0/7) in the control cohort (P < 0.001 and P = 0.03). CEC and EPC levels showed no apparent correlation with tumor size and response to radiotherapy after 18 months of observation.

CONCLUSIONS:

In this pilot study CD133(+)/KDR(+) EPCs were significantly elevated in head and neck tumor patients before and after therapy. Our results warrant further studies on the use of EPCs as a surrogate marker for anticancer therapies in these patients.

• Authors: Markus Brunner, Dietmar Thurnher, Gregor Heiduschka, Matthaeus Ch Grasl, Christine Brostjan, Boban M Erovic
• Journal: Journal of surgical oncology (J Surg Oncol) Vol. 98 Issue 7 Pg. 545-50 (Dec 01 2008) ISSN: 1096-9098 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 18792958 (Publication Type: Journal Article)
• Copyright: (c) 2008 Wiley-Liss, Inc.

Chemical References

• Antigens
• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Antigens (metabolism)
• Biomarkers, Tumor (blood)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (blood, mortality, therapy)
• Case-Control Studies
• Endothelial Cells (metabolism)
• Female
• Flow Cytometry
• Head and Neck Neoplasms (blood, mortality, therapy)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Pilot Projects
• Prospective Studies
• Stem Cells (metabolism)
• Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 (metabolism)