Prognostic value of cyclin D1 expression in tumor-free surgical margins in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas

Abstract

Conclusion: It was proved that cyclin D1-positive status in surgical margins was an independent prognostic indicator of local recurrence. The expression of cyclin D1 in tumor-free surgical margins may better predict local recurrence in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) after surgical treatment with curative intent. Objective: This retrospective study aimed to determine the prognostic indicators for local recurrence in HNSCC. Methods: A total of 116 HNSCC patients who underwent surgical treatment with curative intent and had histopathologically tumor-free margins were eligible for this study. The expression of p53 and cyclin D1 was assessed by immunohistochemical staining in surgical margins as well as in tumor specimens. Results: In all, 63 patients (54.3%) had p53-positive tumor specimens and 34 patients (29.3%) had p53-positive margins. Seventy-six patients (65.6%) had cyclin D1-positive tumor specimens and 54 patients (46.6%) had cyclin D1-positive margins. A significant difference in local control rates was observed between patients with cyclin D1-positive and -negative margins (77.2% vs 91.5%, log rank test, p = 0.0139). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards testing indicated that the hazard ratio of cyclin D1-positive margins for local recurrence was 4.58 (95% confidence interval 1.14–21.69, p = 0.0304).

Keywords::

• Immunohistochemistry
• local recurrence
• head and neck cancer

Acknowledgments

We are grateful to Assistant Professor Koji Oba at the Translational Research and Clinical Trial Center in Hokkaido University for his helpful statistical advice and we are also grateful to Mrs Yuko Ishida for her excellent technical assistance.

This research was supported by a scientific research grant from theMinistry of Education, Science, Sports, Culture and Technology ofJapan (C24234567).

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.