Abstract
Problem: Inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), p53, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) have been thought to play an important role in angiogenesis of tumors. However, the relationship between their expression and clinical features is still not unknown. The aim of this study is to clarify expression of iNOS, p53, and VEGF in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its relation to clinical features and prognosis.
Methods: The study group was composed of 63 Japanese patients with laryngeal SCC who were treated in our clinic. The expression of iNOS, p53, and VEGF in cancer nets at pretreatment period was analyzed by immunohistologic staining.
Results: Overexpression of iNOS was detected in 36 patients (57%), p53 in 28 (44%), and VEGF in 30 (47%). The expressions of iNOS, p53, and VEGF did not correlate with either age, sex, arising sites, TN classification, or clinical stages. The overexpression of iNOS correlated with VEGF overexpression (P < 0.0001). The overexpression of iNOS and VEGF were significantly associated with recurrence after initial treatment in laryngeal SCC (P = 0.0016 and P = 0.0045, respectively). Cox's hazard multivariate analysis showed overexpression of iNOS (hazard ratio = 5.723, 95% confidence interval = 1.045-31.353, P = 0.0444) and over-expression of VEGF (hazard ratio = 5.148, 95% confidence interval = 1.084-24.454, P = 0.0393) were significant indicators for poor disease-free survival.
Conclusion: These data suggest that the VEGF expression may be dependent of iNOS expression and the overexpression of iNOS and VEGF may be useful as a predicting factor for recurrence after initial treatment and prognosis in laryngeal SCC.
Significance: The aim of this study was to clarify expression of iNOS, p53, and VEGF in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and its relation to clinical features and prognosis.
Support: None reported.