Ectonucleotidase CD39 expression in regional metastases in head and neck cancer.

INTRODUCTION: CD39 is the rate-limiting enzyme in the generation of immunosuppressive adenosine and its expression and activity are significant in tumor progression. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) shows an overall poor prognosis due to high local recurrence rates and early metastatic spread. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primary tumor specimens and lymph node specimens harvested during neck dissection of 65 patients with a diagnosis of HNSCC were subjected to immunohistochemical and H-score analysis of CD39 expression. Demographics, histopathology and subsequent outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The primary cancer was squamous cell carcinoma in all patients (male/female 55:10). H-score for CD39 expression in the primary lesion and metastatic lymph nodes was significantly higher in advanced compared to early stages with no significant differences among different tumor locations. High intratumoral and intrametastatic CD39 expression was associated with an inferior patients' overall survival at a mean follow-up of 83.4 months (6-204 months). CONCLUSION: CD39 expression in HNSCC correlated positively with tumor stage and appears to predict poor prognosis. Therefore, CD39 expression in primary lesions and metastatic lymph nodes seems to identify patients at high risk in HNSCC of all tumor sites. Immunotherapeutic approaches targeting CD39 might be promising for this patient population.

CD73 expression in lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck cancer.

INTRODUCTION: CD73 is an enzyme crucial in the metabolism of immunosuppressive adenosine. In cancer, it has various functions including tumor growth and metastases. Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck has an overall poor prognosis, also due to early spread of metastatic cells. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Tumor and lymph node specimens of 65 patients with HNSCC were subjected to immunohistochemical and H-score analysis of CD73 expression. Demographics, diagnoses, histopathology and subsequent outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The primary cancer was squamous cell carcinoma in all patients (male/female 55:10) with the following locations: oral cavity n:16, oropharynx n:28, hypopharynx n:11 and larynx n:10. H-score for CD73 expression in the primary lesion and metastatic lymph nodes was significantly higher in advanced compared to early stages with no significant differences among tumor locations. High CD73 expression was associated with reduced overall survival rates at a mean follow-up of 83.4 months (6-204 months). CONCLUSIONS: CD73 expression in HNSCC correlated positively with tumor stage and was associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, CD73 expression in primary lesions and regional metastases appears to predict HNSCC patients at high risk of all tumor sites. Therapeutic approaches targeting CD73 might seem promising for this patient population.

Foxp3 expression in lymph node metastases in patients with head and neck cancer.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence and activity of regulatory T cells in patients with cancer correlates with poor prognosis. These cells are characterized by their expression of Forkhead box protein-3 (Foxp3). Squamous cell carcinoma is the most prevalent type of cancer in the head and neck region with overall poor survival rates, also due to early spread of metastatic cells. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Primary tumor specimens as well as lymph node specimens harvested during neck dissection of 65 patients with a diagnosis of HNSCC were subjected to immunohistochemical and H-score analysis of Foxp3 expression. Demographics, diagnoses, histopathology and subsequent outcome were analyzed. RESULTS: The primary cancer was squamous cell carcinoma in all patients (male/female 55:10) with the following tumor locations: oral cavity n = 16, oropharynx n = 28, hypopharynx n = 11 and larynx n = 10 (Stage III n = 18; Stage IVA n = 45; Stage IVB n = 2). The H-score for Foxp3 expression in the primary lesion as well as metastatic lymph nodes was significantly higher in advanced stages compared to early stages with differences among tumor locations, which were not significant. High Foxp3 expression was associated with inferior overall survival rates at a mean follow-up of 83.4 months (6-204 months) Conclusions: Foxp3 expression in HNSCC varied from the anatomical site and correlated positively with tumor stage and was associated with poor prognosis. Therefore, Foxp3 expressions in primary lesions as well as lymphogenic metastases appear to predict high-risk HSNCC patients. Novel therapeutic approaches targeting Foxp3+ cells might seem promising for this patient population.