Squamous cell carcinoma antigen, circulating immune complexes, and immunoglobulins in monitoring squamous cell carcinoma of head and neck - A study of the Hellenic Co-Operative Oncology Group (HeCOG)

This study investigates the clinical utility of squamous cell carcinoma ant igen (SCC-Ag), circulating immune complexes (CIC), and immunoglobulins (IgA , IgG, IgM) in the diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of 117 squamous cel l carcinoma of the head and neck (SCC-HN) patients having local and/or syst emic treatment. Serum marker levels were measured in a prospective study. S CC-Ag was positive in 28.2% of patients, the CIC in 63.2%, the IgA in 11.1% , the IgG in 15.4%, and the IgM in 9.44%. Statistically significant correla tion was found between the initial SCC-Ag levels and tumor localization, wh ereas the CIC levels were increasing significantly with progressing disease stages. It was also found that the significant decrease of SCC-Ag, IgA, an d CIC levels at the end of treatment was correlated with an increased incid ence of disease-free status. The initial values of IgG and the disease stag e were significantly correlated with a favorable treatment outcome. The pre treatment elevated SCC-Ag and IgM serum values showed a significant trend t o predict a disease progression. Using a Cox proportional hazards model the IgG serum values, the primary site, and the disease stage were significant predictors for time to progression The significant decrease of SCC-Ag, IgA , and CIC values at the completion of treatment was correlated with an incr eased incidence of disease-free status. This study indicates that only the estimation of SCC-Ag and in some degree the IgM and/or IgG is a potential t ool for monitoring the efficacy of treatment or disease recurrence in SCC-H N.