Background: Multiple marker accumulation impacts tumor progression and biologic phenotypes affect clinical outcome of patients with head and neck cancer. Hence, this study investigated a battery of molecular markers that may help to reflect biologic aggressiveness and predict prognosis.
Methods: Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), Stat3, H-ras, c-myc, p53, cyclin D1, p16, Rb, Ki-67, and Bcl-2 were localized immunohistochemically in 135 oral squamous cell carcinoma patients to assess prognostic value.
Results: In univariate analysis of total patients, p53, Stat3, and p16 predicted both relapse-free survival (RFS) and overall survival (OS). In Cox multivariate analysis, after adjusting for tumor size, nodal status, and lymphatic permeation, p53 was independently associated with RFS and OS, and p16 with RFS only. In only early-stage patients, in univariate analysis, nuclear Stat3 was significant for RFS and OS.
Conclusion: Immunostaining of p53, p16, and Stat3 might serve as potential adjuncts in pathologic evaluation of oral tumors to predict risk of relapse.