Molecular identification, expression and prognostic role of estrogen alpha, beta and progesteron receptors in head and neck cancer

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Background: Previous data suggested hormone receptor protein expressions in head and neck cancer (HNC), but the molecular identification of the receptors was lacking and the prognostic significance was unclear. Methods: Sixty seven freshly frozen surgical samples of HNC patients were used throughout the study. Sex hormone receptor protein expression (ERa, Erb and PgR) of tumor cells was determined by immunocytochemistry. In case of positive reaction, data have been confirmed at mRNA level by nested-PCR and sequencing. Prognostic significance of the hormone receptor expression was determined by statistical analysis of the 4 year survival of the patients. Results: ER and PgR expressions confirmed by PCR analysis were frequent in HNC: 50.7 and 49.3%, respectively. Concerning the ER isoforms, ERa was predominant (41.8%) over ERb (28.4%) in both of oral as well as glottic cancers. The incidence of functional receptor expression (coexpression of ER and PgR) was relatively frequent in HNC: 41.8% which was independent of the anatomical location of the tumor. A minimum of 3 year follow up data were available for 51 HNC patients. Sex hormone receptor expressions did not affect survival, however, in the glottic cancer subgroup (n = 36) the ER expression was associated with a shortened 4 survival (23.1 versus 65.0%, respectively). Conclusions: ERa,b and PgR expression is frequent in HNC and may affect the prognosis of the disease at least in case of glottic cancer. On the other hand, the frequent coexpression of ER isoforms with PgR in HNC raises the possibility of clinical application of selective estrogen receptor modulators in this cancer type.This work is supported by the grant NKFP1a-0024–05.

No significant financial relationships to disclose.