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Relative expression of vascular endothelial growth factor isoforms in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Author(s) -
Wilkie Mark D.,
Emmett Maxine S.,
Santosh Shilpa,
Lightbody Kathryn A.,
Lane Steven,
Goodyear Paul W.,
Sheard Jon D.,
Boyd Mark T.,
Pritchard–Jones Rowan O.,
Jones Terence M.
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.23959
Subject(s) - immunohistochemistry , vascular endothelial growth factor , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , medicine , biomarker , tissue microarray , pathology , lymph node , gene isoform , lymphatic system , oncology , carcinoma , head and neck , vegf receptors , head and neck cancer , cancer research , cancer , biology , gene , biochemistry , surgery
Background Alternative splicing of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) gene results in a family of antiangiogenic isoforms (VEGF xxx b), not yet investigated in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). We examined, therefore, the prognostic value of the relative expression of VEGF isoforms in SCCHN. Methods A tissue microarray comprising 187 SCCHNs was studied by immunohistochemistry with total VEGF (panVEGF) and VEGF xxx b‐specific antibodies, and scored by 2 assessors for intensity and proportion. Scores were combined and expression ratios calculated. Results No meaningful significant differences were observed between panVEGF, VEGF xxx b, or expression ratio, and presence of lymphatic metastasis, or overall survival. This held true when tumor subsites were analyzed independently and when human papillomavirus (HPV) was accounted for in the oropharyngeal subgroup. Conclusion Differential VEGF isoform expression is not a reliable prognostic biomarker for either the clinically node negative/pathologically node‐positive neck or overall survival in pharyngeal and laryngeal SCCHNs. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: 775–781, 2016