The expression of activin receptor-like kinase 1 among patients with head and neck cancer.

OBJECTIVES

We investigated the expression and clinical significance of activin receptor-like kinase 1 (ACVRL1) in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).

STUDY DESIGN

Case series with chart review.

SETTING

Academic Institute of Otolaryngology, Kaohsiung, Taiwan.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Patients diagnosed with HNSCC (n = 169) underwent surgical resection followed by radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy for aggressive tumors between November 2000 and March 2004. ACVRL1 expression was assessed using quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry approaches.

RESULTS

High levels of ACVRL1 expression were significantly correlated with advanced T classification (P < .001), positive N classification (P = .002), advanced TNM stage (P < .001), lymphovascular invasion (P < .001), and extracapsular spread of lymph node metastasis (P = .021). A poor 5-year overall survival rate was correlated with high ACVRL1 expression (P = .0048), advanced T classification (P = .0075), positive N classification (P = .0024), advanced TNM stage (P = .0077), and extracapsular spread of lymph node (P = .0002), but a multivariate analysis using the Cox regression model revealed that the only independent prognostic factors for survival were ACVRL1 expression (P = .043; odds ratio [OR], 1.635; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.017-2.629) and extracapsular spread of lymph node metastasis (P = .003; OR, 2.052; 95% CI, 1.270-3.315).

CONCLUSION

A high level of ACVRL1 expression in tumor tissue is significantly correlated with advanced T classification, positive N classification, advanced TNM stage, and poorer prognosis.