Prognostic value ofc-erbB2 and other markers in patients treated with chemotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Chemotherapy is widely used in patients with recurrent head and neck cancer, but no clear markers are available that can predict response to treatment or survival in these patients. METHODS: Twenty-nine patients evaluated in this study had recurrent head and neck squamous carcinomas, previously treated with surgery and/or radiotherapy. Patients received either cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) (n = 15) or cisplatin and paclitaxel (Taxol) (n = 14). Expression of c-erbB2, p53, glutathione S-transferase pi, multidrug resistance-associated protein, thymidylate synthase, and glutathione synthetase were evaluated in biopsy tissues. RESULTS: Response to chemotherapy was significantly correlated with improved survival (progression-free survival, p =.0005; overall survival, p =. 007). Of the factors examined, expression of c-erbB2 was associated with significantly decreased progression-free survival (p =.023) and overall survival (p =.029). This was seen in patients treated with cisplatin/taxol but not in patients treated with cisplatin/5-FU. CONCLUSION: Expression of c-erbB2 may be a clinically useful predictor of survival in this group of patients.