SALIVARY-GLAND CARCINOMAS - PROGNOSTIC-SIGNIFICANCE OF SIMPLE MUCIN-TYPE CARBOHYDRATE ANTIGENS

The prognosis of salivary gland carcinomas is difficult to assess. Sim ple mucin-type carbohydrates (T and sialosyl-T antigens, Tn and sialos yl-Tn antigens) have been shown to be of value in predicting prognosis for carcinomas in other locations. We studied the prognostic signific ance of the expression of these structures in a retrospective study of 133 patients with salivary gland carcinomas, using immunohistochemist ry and a panel of well-defined monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) on formali n-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues. Sialosyl-Tn, T and sialosyl-T antig ens were not correlated with prognosis. Univariate analyses showed no overall difference in survival or locoregional control between patient s with Tn-positive and patients with Tn-negative tumours, but indicate d that expression of the Tn antigen was associated with early locoregi onal recurrences and deaths. Tn was, however, not an independent progn ostic factor by multivariate regression analysis. (C) 1998 Elsevier Sc ience Ltd. All rights reserved.