Prognostic indicators for hypopharyngeal cancer

为了阐明下咽癌全器官切片肿瘤侵袭的局部特征，我们分析了1)E-cadherin和β-catenin， 2) Neuroleukin和DJ-1 mRNA表达，以及3)laminin - 5y2链表达的染色性。1) E-cadherin和β-catenin在软骨浸润肿瘤边缘和浸润前方表达降低。这一事实表明，在癌症组织中，特别是在这些部位，活性和侵袭性增加。染色与预后无显著相关性。2)神经白细胞素和DJ-1 mRNA表达染色增加。应考虑进一步改进染色方法。3) Laminin-5是目前最有希望的因子。侵袭前可见染色增加，与预后有很好的相关性。当细胞粘附分子与H-E染色的下咽癌全器官序列切片引起的预后因素相结合时变得非常有用。进一步的研究，包括其他形态发生调节因子，将需要充分阐明下咽癌的肿瘤行为。

To elucidate the topical features of cancer invasion within the whole-organ sections of hypopharyngeal cancers, stainability of 1) E-cadherin and β-catenin, 2) Neuroleukin and DJ-1 mRNA expression, and 3) Laminin-5 y2 chain expression were analyzed.1) Reduced expression of E-cadherin and β-catenin was observed at the tumor edge of cartilage invasion and at the invasive front. This fact suggested an increased activity and invasiveness occurred in the cancer tissues especially at these sites. Stainability did not significantly correlate with prognosis.2) Increased stainability was observed in Neuroleukin and DJ-1 mRNA expressions. Further improvement of staining method should be contemplated.3) Laminin-5 is the most promising factor at this point. Increased stainability was observed at invasive front and did correlate well with prognosis.Cell adhesion molecules became much useful when combined with the prognostic factors elicited from H-E stained whole-organ serial sections in hypopharyngeal cancers. Further investigations, including other morphogenetic regulators, will be needed to fully elucidate the tumor behavior of hypopharyngeal cancer.