Characteristic distribution patterns of tenascin in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers

Objectives: Progression of malignant neoplasias is accompanied by alteratio n of the extracellular matrix (ECM) composition. Tenascin is known as a mem ber of the adhesion-modulating family of ECM macromolecules; thus its expre ssion and distribution may have significant influence on tumor cell prolife ration and invasiveness, Study Design: The present study tvas carried out t o determine the distribution pattern of tenascin in laryngeal and hypophary ngeal cancer samples. Methods: In double and triple immunofluorescent stain ing reactions the detection of tenascin was combined with labelings for cyt okeratin (marker protein of epithelial cells), for CD-34 (endothelial cell surface glycoprotein), and for a reaction with Ki-67 monoclonal antibody (n uclear antigen in proliferating cells). Results: In laryngeal cancers, in e arly stages of tumor growth a markedly enhanced production of tenascin at t he tumor host interphase tvas observed, In the later stages of tumor progre ssion, a high number of blood vessels located in the tumorous tissues were also strongly labeled for tenascin, Around these vessels a significant numb er of proliferating tumor cells could be detected, In contrast, in hypophar yngeal cancers this vasculature-associated staining pattern could be observ ed from the very early stage of tumor development. In laryngeal and in hypo pharyngeal cancers, tenascin upregulation strongly correlated with metastas is formation, early tumor recurrence, and lethal outcome of the disease, Co nclusions: Clinical and immunohistologic data indicate that the accumulatio n of tenascin in the tumor blood vessels is an unfavorable prognostic indic ator in laryngeal and hypopharyngeal cancers.