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Plasma thromboxane A 2 and prostacyclin concentrations in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck
Author(s) -
Slotman Gus J.
Publication year - 1988
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.2930380110
Subject(s) - prostacyclin , medicine , platelet , thromboxane , thromboxane b2 , radioimmunoassay , prostaglandin , endocrinology , thromboxane a2 , head and neck cancer , cancer
Circulating prostaglandins, including thromboxane A 2 and prostacyclin, have been implicated as possible facilitative agents in the growth and dissemination of squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship of plasma concentrations of these compounds to tumor stage and the effect of surgical resection on plasma prostaglandin levels. Blood samples were obtained from 40 patients with head and neck cancer. Ten treated patients were clinically disease‐free (NED), and 30 patients with active disease were previously untreated at the time of this study. Plasma concentrations of thromboxane A 2 and prostacyclin were measured by radioimmunoassay of their stable metabolites thromboxane B 2 (TxB) and prostaglandin 6‐keto‐F 1 (PGI). Platelet aggregation was performed with normal donor platelets (PRP) and normal control or patient plasma (PPP). TxB and TxB/PGI ratios were increased in T1N0M0 patients, compared with NED and with T4N0M0 primary lesions versus all other groups. With lymphatic and hematogenous metastases, TxB and TxB/PGI ratios fell to NED levels. ADP‐induced platelet aggregation was significantly increased in head and neck cancer patients, compared with normal controls, and with T4N0M0 lesions, compared with NED. There were no significant differences in PGI levels. TxB, PGI, TxB/PGI, and platelet aggregometry did not change significantly with curative surgery. TxB and TxB/PGI interactions are involved in head and neck cancer. Changes in TxB and TxB/PGI may be related to increased platelet aggregation.