Combined p16 and p53 expression in cervical cancer of unknown primary and other prognostic parameters : A single-center analysis

Strahlenther Onkol. 2017 Apr;193(4):305-314. doi: 10.1007/s00066-017-1102-4. Epub 2017 Jan 31.

Abstract

Background and purpose: Cervical cancer of unknown primary (CUP) represents an uncommon and heterogeneous subentity of head and neck cancer. However, both optimal diagnostics and therapy remain unclear. An improved understanding of the underlying pathology is essential to enable future tailored therapies and optimized outcomes.

Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 53 patients with head and neck CUP and 48 available cervical lymph node specimens. All patients have received radiotherapy between 2007 and 2015. Preradiotherapy involved lymph node specimens were analyzed for p16 and p53 immunoreactivity. The prognostic relevance of the combined p16 and p53 status and other clinical parameters were examined by univariate and multivariate analyses.

Results: Median patient age was 61.5 years and median irradiation dose to the involved nodal levels was 66 Gy. Of the 48 evaluated specimens, 13 (27%) were p16-positive and 31 (64.6%) p53-positive. After a median follow up of 32.9 months, patients with p16-negative and simultaneously p53-positive tumors showed a significantly inferior tumor-specific survival (TSS) compared to those with either p16+/p53-, p16+/p53+, or p16-/p53- (univariate: p = 0.055, multivariate: p = 0.038). Other factors with an adverse impact on TSS in the univariate analysis were smoking history (p = 0.032) and nodal stage (p = 0.038).

Conclusions: The combined p16- and p53-expression status in cervical metastases of CUP may represent a simple method for risk stratification. Further validation of these biomarkers in large prospective trials is essential to design rational trials for CUP treatment optimization.

Keywords: CUP; Head and neck cancer; Lymph nodes; Neoplasms, unknown primary; Squamous cell carcinoma.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / secondary*
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / diagnosis*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / metabolism*
  • Neoplasms, Unknown Primary / radiotherapy
  • Prognosis
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CDKN2A protein, human
  • Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16
  • TP53 protein, human
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53