Prognostic Value of Osteopontin in Patients Treated with Primary Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Abstract

Background: The prognostic value of tumor osteopontin (OPN) in patients with squamous-cell head and neck cancer (SCHNC) was investigated. Materials and Methods: OPN expression was assessed by immunohistochemical methods in 50 patients, who were treated with primary radiotherapy (RT) for locally advanced SCHNC. The effects of OPN on clinical parameters, local-regional control after RT and metastasis-free survival, was assessed. Results: The rate of OPN expression in tumor tissue was 76%. OPN positive cases had lower Hb levels (p=0.088). Mean time to local recurrence was 53.8 months (SE 3.9) in OPN-negative cases and 39.1 months (SE 4.7) in OPN-positive cases (p=0.047). OPN increased the risk of local recurrence 5.9 times (p=0.085). It had no effect on metastasis-free (p=0.116) or overall survival (p=0.123). OPN was positive in 12 of 19 cases that developed grade 3-4 acute radiation dermatitis (p=0.096). Conclusions: OPN expression is associated with an increase in local recurrence in patients who were treated with primary RT for locally advanced SCHNC.

Role of osteopontin in the pathophysiology of cancer

“…A contrasting study reported a prognostic value of OPN in patients treated with primary radiotherapy for HNSCC. OPN levels increased in patients with local recurrence who were treated with primary radiotherapy for locally advanced HNSCC (Etiz et al, 2013). Changes in levels of OPN are involved in ovarian clear cell carcinoma cell invasion and it could have a crucial role in ovarian clear cell carcinoma therapy (Matsuura et al, 2010).…”