The usefulness of new serum tumor markers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Abstract

To determine the usefulness of specific and reliable serum biomarkers to predict cervical lymph node metastasis. A cross-sectional study of cases and controls. Thirty-nine serum samples of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma were collected from patients during neoplasm resection. Another 10 serum samples were collected from healthy individuals as a control group. Selected serum biomarkers were E-cadherin, MMP-2, MMP-9, active MMP-13, and p53 autoantibodies. We found a correlation between active MMP-13 (>685 pg/mL; ROC curve analysis 95% CI for sensitivity 79.6-99.3; specificity 49.2-95.1; positive predictive value 65-100; and negative predictive value 36-100) as well as the presence of p53 autoantibodies and lymph node metastasis. Multimarker analysis using MMP-13 and p53 autoantibodies together provided better sensitivity (76%) and specificity (100%). The combined determination of active MMP-13 and p53 autoantibodies could improve diagnosis of lymphatic metastasis in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and aid therapeutic decision making.