Immunohistochemical detection of osteopontin in advanced head-and-neck cancer: Prognostic role and correlation with oxygen electrode measurements, hypoxia-inducible-factor-1{alpha}-related markers, and hemoglobin levels

Journal Article · Fri Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 2006 · International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrobp.2006.07.1376· OSTI ID:20850274

Bache, Matthias ^[1]; Reddemann, Rolf ^[1]; Said, Harun M ^[2]; Holzhausen, Hans-Juergen ^[3]; Taubert, Helge ^[3]; Becker, Axel ^[1]; Kuhnt, Thomas ^[1]; Haensgen, Gabriele ^[1]; Dunst, Juergen ^[1]; Vordermark, Dirk ^[2]

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1. Department of Radiotherapy, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Germany)
2. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Wuerzburg, Wuerzburg (Germany)
3. Institute of Pathology, Martin-Luther-University Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Germany)

Purpose: The tumor-associated glycoprotein osteopontin (OPN) is discussed as a plasma marker of tumor hypoxia. However, the association of immunohistochemical OPN expression in tumor sections with tumor oxygenation parameters (HF5, median pO{sub 2}), the hypoxia-related markers hypoxia-inducible factor-1{alpha} (HIF-1{alpha}) and carbonic anhydrase IX (CAIX), or hemoglobin and systemic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) levels has not been investigated. Methods and Materials: Tumor tissue sections of 34 patients with advanced head-and-neck cancer treated with radiotherapy were assessed by immunochemistry for the expression of OPN, HIF-1{alpha}, and CA IX. Relationship of OPN expression with tumor oxygenation parameters (HF5, median pO{sub 2}), HIF-1{alpha} and CA IX expression, hemoglobin and serum VEGF level, and clinical parameters was studied. Results: Bivariate analysis showed a significant correlation of positive OPN staining with low hemoglobin level (p = 0.02), high HIF-1{alpha} expression (p = 0.02), and high serum vascular endothelial growth factor level (p = 0.02) for advanced head-and-neck cancer. Furthermore, considering the 31 Stage IV patients, the median pO{sub 2} correlated significantly with the OPN expression (p = 0.02). OPN expression alone had only a small impact on prognosis. However, in a univariate Cox proportional hazard regression model, the expression of either OPN or HIF-1{alpha} or CA IX was associated with a 4.1-fold increased risk of death (p = 0.02) compared with negativity of all three markers. Conclusion: Osteopontin expression detected immunohistochemically is associated with oxygenation parameters in advanced head-and-neck cancer. When the results of OPN, HIF-1{alpha}, and CA IX immunohistochemistry are combined into a hypoxic profile, a strong and statistically significant impact on overall survival is found.

• OSTI ID: 20850274
• Journal Information: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics, Journal Name: International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics Journal Issue: 5 Vol. 66; ISSN IOBPD3; ISSN 0360-3016
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ANOXIA
CARBONIC ANHYDRASE
CARCINOMAS
CORRELATIONS
DEATH
DETECTION
ELECTRODES
GLYCOPROTEINS
GROWTH FACTORS
HEAD
HEALTH HAZARDS
HEMOGLOBIN
NECK
PARTIAL PRESSURE
PATIENTS
RADIOTHERAPY