Expression of placenta growth factor: an independent factor for prediction of progression and prognosis of oral cancer

Head Neck. 2010 Oct;32(10):1363-9. doi: 10.1002/hed.21335.

Abstract

Background: Expression of placenta growth factor (PlGF) is found to correlate with the progression and prognosis of several human cancers.

Methods: This study used an immunohistochemical technique to examine the expression of PlGF in 100 specimens of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

Results: We found that the higher mean PlGF labeling index was significantly associated with OSCCs with positive lymph node metastasis (p = .014) or with more advanced clinical stages (p = .016). Positive lymph node metastasis (p = .008) and PlGF labeling index >40% (p = .010) were identified as independent unfavorable prognosis factors by multivariate analyses with Cox regression model. Moreover, a Kaplan-Meier curve showed that OSCC patients with a PlGF labeling index >40% had a significantly poorer cumulative survival than those with a PlGF labeling index ≤40% (log-rank test, p = .003).

Conclusions: The PlGF labeling index can predict the progression and prognosis of OSCCs in Taiwan.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / mortality*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / mortality*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / pathology
  • Multivariate Analysis
  • Placenta Growth Factor
  • Pregnancy Proteins / metabolism*
  • Prognosis

Substances

  • PGF protein, human
  • Pregnancy Proteins
  • Placenta Growth Factor