The γ2 Chain of Laminin-5 as an Indicator of Increased Risk for Recurrence in T1 Stage Tongue Cancer

Abstract

Background: Treatment of small, localized tongue cancer is an act of balance between sufficiently extensive surgery and/or radiotherapy for safe cure, and minimizing treatment-related morbidity. The biological aggressiveness of these cancers is variable and conventional histopathology does not give sufficient information concerning the risk for local or regional recurrence. Laminin-5 is an extracellular matrix protein noted to have special importance for epithelial cell invasion. Patients and Methods: We investigated 43 diagnostic biopsies from patients with T1 tongue cancer treated with wedge excision only. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a polyclonal antibody against the γ2 chain of laminin-5. Results: Thirty-six specimens were evaluated and 16 patients had a recurrence. A staining pattern of 50% or more was seen in the majority of patients (75%) with tumor recurrence and in fewer patients (45%) without recurrence. Conclusion: In order to optimize treatment for the individual T1 tongue cancer patient, immunostaining against laminin-5 appears to be one possible useful tool.