The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (hCGβ) in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Anni Sjöblom; Timo Carpén; Ulf-Håkan Stenman; Lauri Jouhi; Caj Haglund; Stina Syrjänen; Petri Mattila; Antti Mäkitie; Jaana Hagström

doi:10.3390/cancers14122830

Cancers (Jun 2022)

The Role of Human Chorionic Gonadotropin Beta (hCGβ) in HPV-Positive and HPV-Negative Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Anni Sjöblom,
Timo Carpén,
Ulf-Håkan Stenman,
Lauri Jouhi,
Caj Haglund,
Stina Syrjänen,
Petri Mattila,
Antti Mäkitie,
Jaana Hagström

Affiliations

Anni Sjöblom: Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Timo Carpén: Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Ulf-Håkan Stenman: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Lauri Jouhi: Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 263, FI-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland
Caj Haglund: Research Programs Unit, Translational Cancer Medicine, University of Helsinki, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Stina Syrjänen: Department of Clinical Chemistry, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 63, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland
Petri Mattila: Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 263, FI-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland
Antti Mäkitie: Department of Otorhinolaryngology—Head and Neck Surgery, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 263, FI-00029 HUS Helsinki, Finland
Jaana Hagström: Department of Pathology, University of Helsinki and Helsinki University Hospital, P.O. Box 21, FI-00014 Helsinki, Finland

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14122830
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 14, no. 12
p. 2830

Abstract

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Background: This study was carried out to observe the upregulation of the free β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ) and its prognostic significance in human papillomavirus (HPV)-positive and HPV-negative oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). Materials and methods: A total of 90 patients with OPSCC treated with curative intent at the Helsinki University Hospital (HUS), Helsinki, Finland, during 2012–2016 were included. Serum samples were collected prospectively, and their hCGβ concentrations (S-hCGβ) were determined by an immunofluorometric assay. The expression of hCGβ in tumor tissues was defined by immunohistochemistry (IHC). HPV determination was performed by combining p16-INK4 IHC and HPV DNA PCR genotyping. Overall survival (OS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were used as survival endpoints. Results: S-hCGβ positivity correlated with poor OS in the whole patient cohort (p p p p = 0.007). In a multivariable analysis, S-hCGβ was associated with poor DSS. Of the clinical characteristics, higher cancer stage and grade were associated with S-hCGβ positivity. No statistically significant correlation with tissue positivity of hCGβ was seen in these analyses. Conclusion: S-hCGβ may be a potential independent factor indicating poor prognosis, notably in HPV-negative OPSCC.

Published in Cancers

ISSN: 2072-6694 (Online)
Publisher: MDPI AG
Country of publisher: Switzerland
LCC subjects: Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: https://www.mdpi.com/journal/cancers/

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