High expression of MLANA in the plasma of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma as a predictor of tumor progression

Author(s)

Rodrigues-Junior, Dorival Mendes ^{[1, 2]} ; Tan, Soon Sim ^[3] ; Lim, Sai Kiang ^[3] ; Viana, Luciano de Souza ^[4] ; Carvalho, Andre Lopes ^[4] ; Vettore, Andre Luiz ^[2] ; Iyer, N. Gopalakrishna ^{[1, 5]}

Affiliation

^[1] Natl Canc Ctr, Canc Therapeut Res Lab, 11 Hosp Dr, Singapore 169610 - Singapore

^[2] Univ Fed Sao Paulo, Biol Sci Dept, Campus Diadema, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[3] ASTAR, Ist Med Biol, Singapore - Singapore

^[4] Barretos Canc Hosp, Mol Oncol Res Ctr, Sao Paulo - Brazil

^[5] Natl Canc Ctr, Div Surg Oncol, Singapore - Singapore

• Document type: Journal article
• Source: HEAD AND NECK-JOURNAL FOR THE SCIENCES AND SPECIALTIES OF THE HEAD AND NECK; v. 41, n. 5, p. 1199-1205, MAY 2019.
• Web of Science Citations: 0

Abstract

Background There is a paucity of plasma-based biomarkers that predict outcome in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) treated with chemoradiation therapy (CRT). Here, we evaluate the prognostic potential of plasma Melanoma-Antigen Recognized by T-cells 1 (MLANA) in this setting. Methods MLANA expression in HNSCC lines were evaluated by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, whereas plasma levels were quantified using ELISA in 48 patients with locally advanced HNSCC undergoing a phase 2 trial with CRT. Results MLANA is expressed at variable levels in a panel of HNSCC lines. In plasma, levels were elevated in patients with tumor relapse compared to those without (P < .004); 73.9% of the patients expressing high plasma MLANA levels progressed with recurrent disease (P = .020). Multivariate analysis showed that plasma MLANA levels and tumor resectability were independent prognostic factors for progression free survival. Conclusion Plasma MLANA expression appears to be an effective noninvasive biomarker for outcomes in patients treated with CRT, and could potentially guide therapeutic decisions in this context. (AU)

• FAPESP's process: 15/09182-0 - NEW APPROACHES FOR IDENTIFICATION OF PROGNOSIS MARKERS FOR HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA
• Grantee: Andre Luiz Vettore de Oliveira
• Support type: Regular Research Grants
• FAPESP's process: 15/21420-3 - Analysis content of the extracellular vesicles present in the plasma of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma patients for identification of molecular markers to treatment response
• Grantee: Dorival Mendes Rodrigues Junior
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Doctorate