Expression of c-Met Is Different along the Location and Associated with Lymph Node Metastasis of Head and Neck Carcinoma.
- Author:
Ji Young CHOE
1
;
Ji Yun YUN
;
Soo Jeong NAM
;
Ji Eun KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Pathology, Seoul National University Boramae Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea. npol181@snu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
Proto-oncogene proteins c-met;
Carcinoma, squamous cell;
Head and neck neoplasms;
Gene amplification;
Human papillomavirus
- MeSH:
Carcinoma;
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell;
Epstein-Barr Virus Infections;
Fluorescence;
Gene Amplification;
Head;
Head and Neck Neoplasms;
Herpesvirus 4, Human;
Humans;
Hypopharynx;
In Situ Hybridization;
Larynx;
Lymph Nodes;
Mouth;
Nasal Cavity;
Neck;
Neoplasm Metastasis;
Prognosis;
Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met
- From:Korean Journal of Pathology
2012;46(6):515-522
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
BACKGROUND: Activation of the c-Met pathway is involved in cancer progression and the prognosis. We aimed to identify any association of c-Met protein expression with a number of clinicopathologic variables including infection of human papillomavirus and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) in head and neck carcinomas (HNCa). METHODS: Eighty-two cases were enrolled in this study. Expression of c-Met and p16 was investigated immunohistochemically. EBV was detected by in situ hybridization and amplification of the c-Met gene by fluorescence in situ hybridization. RESULTS: The c-Met protein was expressed in 41.5% (34/82), and gene amplification was found in 1.4% (1/71). High expression of c-Met was associated with the primary location of the tumor; the hypopharynx showed the highest expression, followed by the oral cavity, larynx, and nasal cavity. Squamous cell carcinoma expressed c-Met more frequently than undifferentiated carcinoma. Also, p16 immunoreactivity or EBV infection was associated with the tumor location and well-differentiated histologic type, but were not linked to c-Met expression. The patients with positive c-Met expression showed frequent lymph node metastasis. CONCLUSIONS: Activation of the c-Met pathway might be involved in a subset of HNCa. Cases showing positive c-Met expression should be carefully monitored because of the high probability of lymph node metastasis.
