SIGNIFICANCE OF ADHESION MOLECULES AS BIOLOGICAL PROGNOSTIC FACTOR INLOCALLY ADVANCED LARYNGEAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS

Thirty laryngeal carcinomas were studied immunohistochemically in orde r to evaluate whether the expression and different distribution of adh esion molecules influence the clinical features and progression of the tumors. On the basis of clinical and pathological variables, two diff erent groups were established: one with good and the other with poor p rognosis. The patients were included in one of the two groups on the b asis of prognostic factors previously studied by multivariate analysis (the validity of this choice was confirmed by the NED survival curves of the two groups). Different integrins, type I and V laminin and typ e IV collagen were evaluated by means of monoclonal antibodies in the tumoral specimens and in normal mucosa. Univariate statistical analysi s was performed to evaluate differences between the two groups. The de gree of expression and pattern of distribution were different in tumor compared with normal mucosa and significant differences were found be tween the good- and worst-prognosis tumors.