• 1/10/2005
  • New York, New York
  • Dr. Frank C P. Holstege
  • Nature Genetics (Feb. 2005) as reported by Cancerpage.com

The gene expression profile of metastatic head and neck cancer is distinct from that seen with forms that have not spread, a finding that could improve the treatment of this malignancy, Dutch researchers report.

For certain cancers, such as head and neck squamous carcinomas (HNSCCs), early detection of metastases to nearby lymph nodes is critical for appropriate therapy, senior author Dr. Frank C P. Holstege, from University Medical Center Utrecht, and colleagues note. Unfortunately, these metastases are often difficult to detect, resulting in inappropriate treatment for many individuals.

In the present study, reported in the February issue of Nature Genetics, Dr. Holstege’s team describes the identification of gene expression profiles that correlate with HNSCC lymph node metastases.

In a training set of 82 HNSCCs tumors, optimal prediction was achieved using the profiles of 102 genes. In a validation set, gene profiling correctly determined the metastatic state of 19 of 22 tumors analyzed. Further testing showing that genetic profiling outperformed clinical diagnosis.

“It is highly plausible that expression profiling will, in the future, improve diagnosis and treatment of oral cavity and oropharynx squamous cell carcinomas, particularly by reducing adverse side effects related to overtreatment, but also by reducing the severe risk of fatalities due to overlooked metastases in the case of ‘watch and wait’ strategies,” the authors conclude.