[Molecular alterations in nodal metastases and its primary tumors in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx]. / Alteraciones moleculares en las metástasis ganglionares y sus tumores primarios en los carcinomas epidermoides de laringe.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The successive acquisition of molecular alterations determines tumour progression. During this progression, the development of nodal metastases is one of the most important prognostic factors in laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. The aim of this study is to analyze if, in these carcinomas, the molecular alterations in the nodal metastases are different from those present in the primary tumour. MATERIAL AND METHOD: Paired samples of primary tumour and nodal metastases from 51 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the supraglottic larynx were studied. Using immunohistochemistry, we analyzed the expression of p53, E-cadherin, FAK, annexin A2 and HIF-1a proteins. In addition, the apoptotic index (measuring activated caspase-3) and the degree of vascularization (identified by CD34 antigen expression) were also studied. RESULTS: A close correlation in the expression of the proteins studied was observed in the nodal metastases and the corresponding primary tumour, with the exception of HIF-1a expression and the degree of vascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Most of the molecular alterations in the nodal metastases are already present in the primary tumour, suggesting that these alterations are early events in carcinogenesis.

[Annexin A2 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma]. / Expresión de la anexina A2 en los carcinomas epidermoides de cabeza y cuello.

OBJECTIVE: Over-expression of annexin A2 (ANXA2) has been reported in various cancers. However, no data are available on the expression of this protein in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC). The objective of this preliminary study is to investigate the expression of ANXA2 in these carcinomas. MATERIAL AND METHOD: ANXA2 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry in paraffin-embedded sections from 9 patients with premalignant lesions and 21 patients with HNSCC. RESULTS: All dysplastic tissues showed significantly reduced ANXA2 expression compared to normal tissue. In contrast, ANXA2 expression was observed in all but one of the tumours studied. There was a significant correlation of lower ANXA2 expression with a poorer histological differentiation, larger tumours, and nodal metastases. CONCLUSIONS: Our data show for the first time that ANXA2 is expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas and that its expression seems to be related with the degree of differentiation status of these tumours.