Gene Expression Comparison Between the Primary Tumor and its Lymph Node Metastasis in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Pilot Study.

BACKGROUND/AIM: In metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) the metastatic tumor does not always keep the same gene expression profile as the parental tumor, which may influence the course of the disease. The aim of this study was to compare the expression of genes implicated in HNSCC carcinogenesis between the primary tumor and the corresponding lymph node metastasis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Eighteen HNSCC, their corresponding node metastases and non-neoplastic tissues were studied by RT-qPCR for the expression of EGFR, VEGF, claudin7, maspin, survivin and SCCA. The levels of expression were correlated with histological characteristics and patients' prognosis.

RESULTS

All genes except for survivin displayed different expression in node metastasis compared to the primary tumor. The expression of EGFR, survivin, maspin, and claudin7 in node metastasis and SSCA in the primary tumor affected the prognosis. SCCA expression is associated with the expression of claudin7 and maspin. P16-positive tumors expressed low levels of VEGF and SCCA, while keratinizing tumors over-expressed VEGF.

CONCLUSION

Differential gene expression levels in node metastases compared to the primary tumor is linked to the prognosis of HNSCC patients. The histological/immunohisto-chemical characteristics of the tumor are associated with these genes expression changes.