The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (hCGß) in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Sjöblom, Anni; Carpén, Timo; Stenman, Ulf-Håkan; Jouhi, Lauri; Haglund, Caj; Syrjänen, Stina; Mattila, Petri; Mäkitie, Antti; Hagström, Jaana

Sjöblom, Anni; Carpén, Timo; Stenman, Ulf-Håkan; Jouhi, Lauri; Haglund, Caj; Syrjänen, Stina; Mattila, Petri; Mäkitie, Antti; Hagström, Jaana.

Afiliação

Sjöblom A; Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Carpén T; Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Stenman UH; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 263, FI-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland.
Jouhi L; Research Program in Systems Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Haglund C; Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Syrjänen S; Department of Otorhinolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 263, FI-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland.
Mattila P; Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.
Mäkitie A; Department of Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 440, FI-00029 Helsinki, Finland.
Hagström J; Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland.

Cancers (Basel) ; 14(12)2022 Jun 08.

Article em En | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-35740496

ABSTRACT

ABSTRACT

Background:

This study was carried out to observe the upregulation of the free ß-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGß) and its prognostic significance in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Materials and

methods:

A total of 90 patients with OPSCC treated with curative intent at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, during 2012−2016 were included. Serum samples were collected prospectively, and their hCGß concentrations (S-hCGß) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. The expression of hCGß in tumor tissues was defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV determination was performed by combining p16-INK4 IHC and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were used as survival endpoints.

Results:

S-hCGß positivity correlated with poor OS in the whole patient cohort (p < 0.001) and in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC (p < 0.001). A significant correlation was seen between S-hCGß and poor DSS in the whole cohort (p < 0.001) and in patients with HPV-negative OPSCC (p = 0.007). In a multivariable analysis, S-hCGß was associated with poor DSS. Of the clinical characteristics, higher cancer stage and grade were associated with S-hCGß positivity. No statistically significant correlation with tissue positivity of hCGß was seen in these analyses.