alpha-Neup5Ac-(2--3)-beta-D-Galp-(1--4)-[alpha-L-Fucp-(1--3)]-D-GlcpNAc and Laryngeal-Neoplasms

The clinical relevance of the carbohydrate antigen Sialyl Lewis a (SLea) as a serum tumor marker in diagnosis and follow-up treatment is unquestioned in a broad spectra of human carcinomas. Overexpression of this antigen is combined with poor prognosis and malignant relapse. The aim of our study was the systematic investigation of SLea expression in squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx versus normal and phlogistic tissue.. Paraffin-embedded sections of normal, phlogistic and squamous cell carcinoma tissue were incubated with a monoclonal antibody against SLea. The staining reaction was performed using ABC-Peroxidase and DAB. As a positive control tissue of breast cancer was used and the negative control was performed with unspecific mouse IgM. Semiquantitative evaluations were carried out double-blinded by two independent investigators, including a pathologist.. A very faint expression of SLea (Ca19-9) in normal laryngeal tissue, a moderate upregulation in phlogistic tissue and a dramatic upregulation in some types of squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx were observed. Laryngeal cancer is the most common cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract. Most cases of laryngeal cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and can be classified into: well differentiated (more than 75% keratinization), moderately differentiated (25-75% keratinization), and poorly differentiated (<25% keratinisation) carcinomas.. The results of this study indicate that SLea is a potential tumor marker in carcinoma of the larynx.

Topics: Biomarkers, Tumor; CA-19-9 Antigen; Carbohydrates; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Keratins; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Lewis X Antigen; Sialyl Lewis X Antigen; Up-Regulation

Recent studies have identified that mucin antigens and Lewis X (Lex)-related antigens behave like oncodevelopmental tumor-associated antigens in several human adenocarcinomas. However, the expression of these antigens in pharyngeal and laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and in the precursor lesion is not fully elucidated yet. In the present study, the expression of mucin core protein antigens associated with the MUC1 gene product (DF3 antigen, mammary-type apomucin) and the MUC2 gene product (intestinal-MRP antigen, intestinal-type apomucin) mucin carbohydrate antigens that are associated with the earliest steps in mucin glycosylation (Tn, sialyl-Tn and T), and Lex-related antigens (Lex, Ley and sialyl Lex-i) in biopsy or resected specimens from 26 normal squamous epithelia (NSE), 49 dysplastic squamous epithelia (DSE) and 51 SCC were examined. The DF3 antigen was not expressed in NSE (0%), whereas it was expressed in 20 DSE (41%) and in 31 SCC (61%). The intestinal-MRP antigen showed no expression in NSE, DSE or SCC. The Tn antigen showed no expression in NSE, but showed low expression rates in DSE (14%) and in SCC (16%). The sialyl-Tn and T antigens were expressed in NSE, as well as in DSE and SCC. The T antigen expression increased with progression from NSE to DSE to SCC, while the sialyl-Tn antigen did not show such a tendency. Any of the three Lex-related antigens showed no characteristic expression in DSE and SCC. In the eight antigens examined, only DF3 antigen was an effective marker for DSE and SCC in the pharyngeal and laryngeal region. Cytoplasmic expression of DF3 and sialyl-Tn antigens were more frequently seen in SCC than in DSE, and might be useful to differentiate SCC from DSE.

Topics: Antigens, Neoplasm; Antigens, Viral, Tumor; Biomarkers, Tumor; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Gastric Mucins; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Laryngeal Neoplasms; Lewis Blood Group Antigens; Mucins; Oligosaccharides; Pharyngeal Neoplasms; Precancerous Conditions; Sialyl Lewis X Antigen