The promising role of Gelsolin expression to predict survival in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx.

INTRODUCTION: Gelsolin protein has important cellular functions, including cell motility and apoptosis. Altered gelsolin expression has been reported in several types of neoplasms, but clinicopathological features of gelsolin are currently unclear in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. OBJECTIVES: Our aim is to investigate the clinicopathological significance of gelsolin as a prognostic biomarker for laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. METHODS: Tissue specimens from 168 patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were immunohistochemically assessed for the Gelsolin expression. Prognostic significance of Gelsolin and its interaction with clinical parameters was analysed. RESULTS: Gelsolin expression was confirmed in 70.2% of cases. Gelsolin expression is significantly associated with tumor stage, tumor grade, and locoregional recurrence. Kaplan-Meier survival curves revealed that Gelsolin expression inversely correlated with both disease-specific and overall survival. CONCLUSION: This research is the first to demonstrate that Gelsolin expression is associated with a poor prognosis in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma. Gelsolin is a novel promising biomarker and attractive target for the treatment of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.

Comparison of pharyngocutaneous fistula closure with and without bacterial cellulose in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: The present study aimed to compare the effects of bacterial cellulose used for closure of pharyngocutaneous fistulae, a complication of total laryngectomy, with those of primary sutures in a rat model. METHODS: Thirty female Sprague-Dawley underwent experimental pharyngoesophagotomy and were grouped depending on the material used for pharyngocutaneous fistula closure: group I, which received primary sutures alone, group II, which received bacterial cellulose alone; and group III, which received both. After 7 days, the rats were sacrificed. Pharyngocutaneous fistula development was assessed, the gross wound was inspected, and histological examination was conducted. RESULTS: Pharyngocutaneous fistulae developed in 12 rats (41%) in all: 6 from group I (21%), 4 from group II (14%) and 2 from group III (7%). CONCLUSION: Fibroblast density and inflammatory cell infiltration were significantly greater in group III than group I. We concluded that bacterial cellulose may be useful for pharyngocutaneous fistula closure.