Serum concentrations of laminin gamma2 fragments in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND The laminin (LN) gamma2 chain expression has been linked to tumor invasion and prognosis. To provide a convenient clinical use, procedures that analyze LNgamma2 expression by using the serum and/or urine of patients should be developed. METHODS The serum concentrations of the N-terminal fragments of the LNgamma2 chain in 73 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas were measured by immunoassay. RESULTS The concentrations of the LNgamma2 fragments ranged between 14.5 and 324.2 ng/mL, and the normal upper limit was estimated to be 50 ng/mL. The LNgamma2 fragment concentrations increased according to the T classification. The amount of elevated LNgamma2 fragment concentrations decreased after the use of curative treatments. Three patients displayed a continuous increase of the concentrations and subsequently died of the diseases. CONCLUSIONS The serum concentrations of the LNgamma2 fragments may prove useful in assessing the treatment results and clinical courses of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.