Abstract
Rationale: During neoplastic transformation, epithelial cells become mobile, which is one of the main mechanisms of metastatic disease and recurrence. Cell motility is regulated by actin-binding proteins, which ensure the association/dissociation of actin filaments and their interaction with the cell membrane. Previously, we have shown the presence of actin-binding proteins in the serum from patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC); however, their association with the development of metastases and relapses in cancer patients has not been sufficiently studied.
Aim: To evaluate the serum levels of actin-binding proteins fascin-1 and ezrin in patients with HNSCC depending on the disease recurrence and lymphatic metastasis.
Materials and methods: Serum fascin-1 and ezrin levels before combination therapy were measured with ELISA assay in 30 HNSCC (T1-4N0-2M0) patients (mean age 56 7 years).
Results: The median fascin-1 level was significantly higher in the patients with lymphatic metastases, compared to those without metastases: 0.64 (0.40; 5.89) vs 6.35 (1.72; 8.35) ng/mL, respectively (p 0.001). At 12 to 36 months after combination therapy, the disease relapsed in 12 (40%) patients. Ezrin levels were significantly higher in the relapsed patients, compared to those without a relapse within 3 years after combination therapy: 2.55 (2.35; 2.75) vs 1.93 (1.87; 2.5) ng/mL (p = 0.02). The ROC analysis showed an association between fascin-1 serum levels with metastatic disease (AUC = 0.71, 95% confidence interval 0.570.85) and an association between ezrin levels and the disease relapse (AUC = 0.76, 95% confidence interval 0.570.94).
Conclusion: These indicators can be used for the development of minimally invasive early detection of metastases in lymphatic nodes and for the prognosis of HNSCC recurrence.
Publisher
Moscow Regional Research and Clinical Institute (MONIKI)
Subject
General Earth and Planetary Sciences,General Environmental Science
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