DNA ploidy, proliferative capacity and intratumoral heterogeneity in primary and recurrent head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCC) – Potential implications for clinical management and treatment decisions

SummaryDespite new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies (combined radiochemotherapy, EGFR antibody Cetuximab), the prognosis of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is still poor and more information regarding prognosis is essential to establish earlier and better treatment options. To elucidate the role of DNA ploidy and cellular proliferation, resected tumors of 48 patients with primary or recurrent HNSCC were analyzed by flow cytometry and in vitro-5-bromodeoxyuridine incorporation (BrdU). The results were compared with histopathological findings such as tumor size, lymph node involvement and tumor differentiation. To assess the influence of intratumoral heterogeneity of these biological parameters, multiple biopsies (>3) were analyzed by flow cytometry and BrdU-incorporation in 12 larger (>4 cm diameter) tumors. BrdU-labeling index (LI%) was significantly higher in aneuploid HNSCC and correlated significantly with poor histologic differentiation of the analyzed tumor tissues (P < 0.001). Furthermore, a trend for higher LI% in nodal positive tumors was observed. Aneuploid HNSCC showed significantly more often tissue dedifferentiation (P = 0.049) and in most cases an advanced tumor stage, especially in tumors with biclonal cell lines. Lymph node involvement was also seen more often in aneuploid and undifferentiated tumors. As in aneuploid tumors recurrent HNSCC showed in most cases a higher LI% and poor tissue differentiation, but as a result of the small collection of samples there was no correlation between aneuploidy and tumor recurrence. To proof the robustness of the acquired data and to estimate the influence of intratumoral heterogeneity to ploidy and LI% multiple biopsies were analyzed in larger tumors. Using a specific statistical algorithm a secure estimation of ploidy and LI% was possible by a single biopsy in these tumors. These findings indicate aneuploidy and proliferative activity as important findings for malignant progression in HNSCC. An estimation of these biological parameters may be useful for identification of patients with high risk for lymph node involvement or tumor recurrence and pre-treatment can be performed by a single biopsy. As a conclusion, these patients may benefit from more aggressive treatment.