Clinical Significance in Expression of p53, Bcl-2, PCNA and VEGF in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Relationships with Cisplatin Chemosensitivity and Prognosis / 대한이비인후과학회지

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Many researchers have attempted to correlate tumor marker expression with the response of chemoradiotherapy and prognosis of head and neck cancer. But no clear markers are available that can predict responses to treatment or survival in head and neck cancer. This study investigates the relationship between tumor marker expressions and prognosis. SUBJECTS AND METHOD: Thirty-eight patients who received cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) chemotherapy for the treatment of head and neck cancer were enrolled in this study. Author evaluated the relationship between the response of chemotherapy and the immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl-2, VEGF, PCNA. The relationship between survival and tumor marker expression was evaluated in twenty five patients who received chemotherapy and radiotherapy. RESULTS: Expression rates of p53, Bcl-2, VEGF, PCNA were 65%, 26%, 26%, 68%, respectively. Of the markers examined, while the expression of p53 was associated with chemosensitivity (p=0.02), other markers was not associated with chemosensitivity (p>0.05). The recurrent rate was 52%. T stage seemed to be associated with recurrence (p=0.07), tumor markers and other clinical parameters were not associated with recurrence (p>0.05). Five year survival rate was 60%. The primary site of tumor seemed to be associated with the overall survival rate of (p=0.07). Any other clinical characteristics and tumor markers were not associated with survival. CONCLUSION: The expression of p53 may be a clinically useful predictor of chemosensitivity in this group of patients. Further studies using a larger group is needed to establish the relationship between tumor markers and prognosis of head neck cancer.