Concentration of free hCGβ subunit in serum as a prognostic marker for squamous-cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx

Abstract

This study was conducted to evaluate the clinical usefulness of serum hCGβ in the diagnosis and prognosis of patients (n = 59) with cancers of the oral cavity and oropharynx. As a reference marker we used squamous‐cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg). A blood sample was obtained from all patients before primary surgery. Serum hCGβ was determined by a time‐resolved immunofluorometric assay (IFMA) and SCCAg by a solid phase immunoenzymometric assay. Elevated preoperative hCGβ levels were observed in 8 (14%) and elevated SCCAg in 12 (20%) out of 59 patients. Patients with preoperatively elevated hCGβ had a shorter recurrence‐free survival when compared with those with normal hCGβ levels (log‐rank Chi‐squared = 6.83, p =.009), and the risk‐ratio for recurrence during follow‐up for those was 3.6 (95% CI = 1.29–9.94). In a Cox multivariate model hCGβ (p = 0.039) and stage (p = 0.044) were independent prognostic factors. SCCAg showed no correlation with recurrence‐free survival. We conclude that determination of hCGβ in serum is a potential marker in the prognostic evaluation of patients with SCC of the oral cavity and oropharynx. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 84:525–528, 1999. © 1999 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.

Expression Of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin β-Subunit Type I Genes Predicts Adverse Outcome In Renal Cell Carcinoma

“…A strong association between hCG␤ expression and adverse outcome has also been observed in many other cancers, [12][13][14] but the mechanism behind this is not truly known. hCG␤ has been shown to exert a growth-promoting effect in culture, 27 and in bladder cancer cells, this has been shown to result from inhibition of apoptosis.…”

“…The free ␤-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG␤) is frequently expressed in several nontrophoblastic tumors, 10,11 and elevated serum concentrations hCG␤ are of prognostic value in cancers of the ovary, 12 oral cavity, 13 and colon. 14 Tissue expression detected by immunohistochemistry is associated with therapy-resistant disease in bladder cancer.…”

Serum Prognostic Markers in Head and Neck Cancer

“…Potential prognostic serum markers have been investigated with the aim of improving outcome prediction for patients newly diagnosed with HNC. Studies have been conducted to assess whether pretreatment serum levels of tumor-associated antigen (10), proangiogenic (11)(12)(13) or proinflammatory (14)(15)(16) cytokines, growth factors (17), or hormones (18,19) could help predict cancer recurrence, occurrence of SPC, or overall survival among HNC patients. These studies have yielded inconsistent results.…”

Elevated Human Chorionic Gonadotrophin Due to Pancreatic Cancer

“…A large number of metastatic breast cancer patients were found express elevated levels (48.5%) [29], although confounding factors may exist [1]. Head and neck can-cers [30], lung cancers [31][32][33] and lymphomas [1] are less likely to express β hCG. Although studies have variable definitions of elevated β hCG levels, levels can become high enough to cause qualitiative serum β hCG tests to read positive (5.0 mIU/mL = 14.65 pmol/L).…”