Prognostic biomarkers in patients with human immunodeficiency virus-positive disease with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Hongzheng Zhang, Emory University; Sungjin Kim, Cedars Sinai Medical Center; Zhengjia Chen, Emory University; Sreenivas Nannapaneni, Emory University; Amy Chen, Emory University; Charles Moore, Emory University; Gabriel Sica, Emory University; Marina Mosunjac, Emory University; Minhly Nguyen, Emory University; Gypsyamber D'Souza, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health; Thomas E. Carey, University of Michigan; Lisa A. Peterson, University of Michigan; Jonathan B. McHugh, University of Michigan; Martin Graham, University of Michigan; Christine M. Komarck, University of Michigan; Gregory T. Wolf, University of Michigan; Heather M. Walline, University of Michigan; Georgia Chen, Emory University; Nabil Saba, Emory University; Dong Shin, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2017-12-01
• Publisher: Wiley: 12 months
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2017 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/hed.24911
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Head and Neck
• ISSN: 1043-3074
• Volume: 39
• Issue: 12
• Start Page: 2433
• End Page: 2443
• Grant/Funding Information: The study was supported by the NCI Head and Neck Cancer SPORE Consortium Supplement (3P50DE019032–14S1).
• Keywords: HIV-INFECTED PATIENTS; RISK-FACTORS; human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); CIGARETTE-SMOKING; Otorhinolaryngology; prognosis; biomarkers; Surgery; IMMUNE CELLS; head and neck cancer; UNITED-STATES; HPV INFECTION; Life Sciences & Biomedicine; AIDS-DEFINING CANCERS; Science & Technology; ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY; survival; INFLAMMATION; NEXT-GENERATION
• Research Categories: Biology, Biostatistics; Health Sciences, Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background: We examined the prognostic value of a panel of biomarkers in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive (HIV-positive head and neck cancer) and HIV negative (HIV-negative head and neck cancer). Methods: Tissue microarrays (TMAs) were constructed using tumors from 41 disease site-matched and age-matched HIV-positive head and neck cancer cases and 44 HIV-negative head and neck cancer controls. Expression of tumor biomarkers was assessed by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and correlations examined with clinical variables. Results: Expression levels of the studied oncogenic and inflammatory tumor biomarkers were not differentially regulated by HIV status. Among patients with HIV-positive head and neck cancer, laryngeal disease site (P =.003) and Clavien-Dindo classification IV (CD4) counts <200 cells/μL (P =.01) were associated with poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis showed that p16 positivity was associated with improved overall survival (OS; P <.001) whereas increased expression of transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) was associated with poor clinical outcome (P =.001). Conclusion: Disease site has significant effect on the expression of biomarkers. Expression of tumor TGF-β could be a valuable addition to the conventional risk stratification equation for improving head and neck cancer disease management strategies.