Candidate Angiogenesis‐Related Biomarkers in Patients with Laryngeal Carcinoma (AngLaC): A Prospective Cohort Study

Abstract

AbstractObjectiveAngiogenesis is indeed a vital process in the progression of carcinomas, including that of larynx. Therefore, this study (AngLaC) aimed to identify candidate angiogenesis‐related biomarkers in laryngeal carcinoma patients.Study DesignProspective controlled cohort study.SettingTertiary referral center.MethodsIn silico analyses of angiogenesis‐related genes in laryngeal carcinoma were performed to determine candidate biomarkers. Serum levels of candidate biomarkers were determined via enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay in laryngeal carcinoma patients as well as in an age and gender‐matched control group. The associations of the biomarkers with clinical parameters were investigated.ResultsThe study included 60 laryngeal carcinoma patients and 20 healthy controls. The serum levels of osteopontin, IGFBP‐3, VEGF, sVEGFR‐1, and VEGFR‐2 were significantly higher in the patient group (p < .001, p ≤ .001, p < .001, p < .01, p < .01, respectively). High osteopontin and sVEGFR‐1 levels were associated with locoregional‐recurrence (p = .024, p = .016, respectively). IGFBP‐3 had the highest diagnostic sensitivity (81.4%) and specificity (80%) among the molecules that were investigated (p < .001). High sVEGFR‐1 and low VEGFR‐2 levels were associated with poor overall‐survival (p = .037, p = .027, respectively). High osteopontin and sVEGFR‐1 levels were associated with poor disease‐specific survival rates (p = .035, p = .018, respectively).ConclusionHigh serum levels of sVEGFR‐1 and osteopontin as well as low serum levels of VEGFR‐2 proved to be poor prognostic in terms of survival in laryngeal carcinoma. VEGF, sVEGFR1, VEGFR2, IGFBP‐3, and osteopontin levels were found to be significantly increased in larynx cancer patients compared to the normal population. Further studies on osteopontin and sVEGFR‐1 are required in order to determine their associations with recurrence.