Clinical significance of melanoma-associated antigen A1-6 expression in sputum of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx and hypopharynx

Abstract

Background. Several studies have reported the expression of the melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE) gene in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). In this study, we evaluated the cor- relations between MAGE expression in sputum and the clinical features and oncologic outcomes of SCC of the larynx and hypopharynx. Methods. We performed a retrospective review of 119 patients treated for SCC of the larynx and hypopharynx and analysis of their induced spu- tum by nested reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) to detect the MAGE-A1–6 gene. The associations between MAGE expression and clinical characteristics were analyzed. Results. Expression of MAGE-A1–6 in sputum was identified in 57 of 119 patients (47.9%), and was independently correlated to double primary cancer (p 5 .024; odds ratio [OR] 5 4.135). Expression of MAGE-A1–6 in sputum was correlated to poor survival. Conclusion. Expression of MAGE-A1–6 in sputum predicts poor oncologic outcome in patients with SCC of the larynx and hypopharynx. V C 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E736–E740, 2016 KEY WORDS: squamous cell carcinoma, larynx, hypopharynx, head and neck cancer, melanoma-associated antigen (MAGE)