Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Research Articles

Immunohistological study of ovarian mature cystic teratoma with extremely elevated SCC antigen level

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen is a reliable tumor marker for various cancers, including cervical cancer and lung cancer, and was recently reported to correlate with the severity of inflammatory skin diseases such as atopic dermatitis. Herein, we present a case of a 47-year-old female patient who presented with acute abdomen rupture due to a mature cystic teratoma of the ovary, approximately 11 cm in diameter on imaging examination, prompting emergency laparoscopic surgery. The patient had no symptoms of atopic dermatitis. The operative findings showed no evidence of torsion, but the membrane was partially ruptured, leading to the leakage of the cyst contents. The operation was completed after excising the adnexa and intraperitoneal lavage. The postoperative results revealed a markedly high serum SCC antigen level of 55.3 ng/dL, which was normalized at 2 months postoperatively. Postoperative histopathological examination revealed no squamous cell carcinoma component but a marked lymphocytic infiltrate under the squamous epithelium, suggesting a high degree of inflammation. Additionally, immunostaining demonstrated a cluster of differentiation (CD) 8+ lymphocyte predominance over CD4+ lymphocytes, similar to the histology of atopic dermatitis. Altogether, our findings suggest that the abnormally high SCC antigen levels might be attributed to the presence of severe inflammation in the mature cystic teratoma rather than an underlying malignancy and support the notion that SCC antigen may be a useful marker beyond its established role in cervical and lung cancers.

Clinical utility of pretreatment serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen for prognostication and decision-making in patients with early-stage cervical cancer.

To investigate the prognostic role of pretreatment squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) in early-stage cervical cancer (CC). We enrolled 487 cases of pathology-proven early-stage [International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) I/II] squamous or adenosquamous CC that were treated from 2012 to 2015. Restricted cubic splines (RCS) with a full Cox regression model were used to evaluate the association between SCCA levels and survival outcomes. Recursive partitioning analysis (RPA) was used to construct a risk stratification model for overall survival (OS). The performance of the RPA-based model was assessed using a receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. RCS analysis revealed an association between SCCA and OS and disease-free survival (DFS); SCCA ⩾2.5 ng/mL was robust for risk discrimination in our cohort. SCCA had an interaction effect with FIGO classification: Patients with FIGO I and SCCA ⩾2.5 ng/mL overlapped with those with FIGO II and SCCA < 2.5 ng/mL for OS [hazard ratio, 1.04 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.49-2.24), p = 0.903] and DFS [1.05 (0.56-1.98), p = 0.876]. RPA modeling incorporating SCCA (<2.5 ng/mL and ⩾2.5 ng/mL) and FIGO classification divided CC into three prognostic groups: RPA I, FIGO stage I, and SCCA < 2.5 ng/mL; RPA II, FIGO stage I, and SCCA ⩾ 2.5 ng/mL, or FIGO stage II and SCCA < 2.5 ng/mL; and RPA III, FIGO stage II, and SCCA ⩾ 2.5 ng/mL; with 5-year OS of 94.0%, 85.1%, and 73.5%, respectively (p < 0.001). ROC analysis confirmed that the RPA model outperformed the FIGO 2018 stage with significantly improved accuracy for survival prediction [area under the curve: RPA versus FIGO, 0.663 (95% CI: 0.619-0.705] versus 0.621 (0.576-0.664), p = 0.045]. Importantly, the RPA groupings were associated with the efficacy of treatment regimens. Surgery followed by adjuvant treatment had a higher OS (p < 0.01) and DFS (p = 0.024) than other treatments for RPA III, whereas outcomes were comparable among treatment regimens for RPA I-II. Herein, the role of SCCA for prognostication was confirmed, and a robust clinicomolecular risk stratification system that outperforms conventional FIGO classification in early-stage squamous and adenosquamous CC was presented. The model correlated with the efficacy of different treatment regimes.

Prevalent distribution and survival outcome of HPV infection in patients with early-stage cervical cancer in Hangzhou, China

ObjectivesTo describe the prevalent distribution of human papilloma virus (HPV) infection in patients with early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC). To provide data on high-risk HPV (HR-HPV) infection and other clinicopathological factors for their correlations with the survival of CSCC patients.MethodsA total of 1425 patients with FIGO stages IA to IIA CSCC who underwent radical surgery between September 2008 and December 2012 were enrolled in the study. The prevalent distribution of HPV infection with different patient characteristics and survivals were analyzed with or without propensity score matching (PSM).ResultsThe overall infection rate of HPV was 84.3%, including 13 carcinogenic HR-HPV genotypes and 8 low-risk HPV genotypes with infection rates of 82.6% and 5.8%, respectively. The distribution of HPV infection were proportional in patients with either different age groups or different FIGO stages. HPV16 was the dominant subtype with an infection rate of 65.1%, followed by the other top four subtypesHPV58 (8.7%), 18 (7.7%) and 52 (4.5%). χ2 analysis revealed that increased preoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) were statistically associated with HPV status. However, regression analyses indicated that only deep stromal invasion, LVSI and lymph node metastasis were independent prognostic factors on 5-year overall survival (OS), but not HR-HPV infection status even in the second exploratory analysis (P = 0.939) based on the PSM applied to reduce selection bias.ConclusionsThis study provided baseline data on the prevalence characteristics of HPV infections in patients with early-stage CSCC, and HR-HPV infection was not a prognosticator of 5-year OS, other than FIGO stage, LVSI and lymph node metastasis.

High Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen Level Associated with Remission of Mild/Moderate Dysplasia of the Esophagus: A Nested Case-Control Study.

Background The esophageal epithelial dysplasia is the precancerous lesion. This study aimed to investigate the association between the serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) and the remission of esophageal squamous mild or moderate dysplasia. Methods We performed a nested case–control study. Patients with mild/moderate dysplasia of the esophageal squamous epithelium were enrolled in this study during the years of 2013–2015 and received a follow-up endoscopy during 2017–2018. With the comparison between baseline and follow-up diagnosis, the patients were divided into regression/stable and progression groups. A predictive model for the outcome of dysplasia was comprised of the variables of SCCA, age, sex, education level, and baseline dysplasia grade. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to estimate the diagnostic efficacy of the regression status of dysplasia under the predictive model. Results There were 146 patients enrolled in this study. 100 patients experienced a regression or stable status of dysplasia and 46 patients had a progressed status. Increased age, low education level, and moderate dysplasia were the risk factors of progression. With an 0.1 μg/L increase, SCCA was associated with a 0.90-fold risk (95% CI 0.81, 0.99) of progression. In the predictive model, the area under ROC curve was 0.78. The cut-off values of predictive probability of combined factors for progression, were 0.40 and 0.32 for males and females, respectively. Conclusions Increased serum SCCA concentration was associated with regressed severity of mild and moderate dysplasia of the esophageal mucosa. Further studies were warranted and SCCA concentration was a potential biomarker for the dysplasia prognosis.

Invasive squamous cell carcinoma arising from long‐lasting enterocutaneous fistula due to Crohn's disease

Chronic inflammation led to squamous cell carcinoma. We experienced squamous cell carcinoma from Crohn’s disease. A 53-year-old woman with Crohn's disease (CD) diagnosed more than 30 years earlier was referred to us because of a 4 month history of abdominal tumors. She underwent a total colectomy, small intestinal resection, and an eternal enterostomy 24 years earlier and had two enterocutaneous fistulous tracts with repeated inflammation on the lower-right side of her abdomen for 13 years. She had been treated with 5-aminosalicylic acid for more than 15 years, but did not receive immunosuppressants or tumor necrosis factor alpha inhibitors. Physical examination revealed a 6 × 3.5 cm reddish ulcerative tumor on the lower-right side of her abdomen surrounded by brownish pigmentation with indurations (Figure 1A). Histopathological examination of the tumor revealed atypical squamous cell proliferation with marked keratinization (Figure 1B,C). Histological continuity between the epidermis and atypical cells was not observed, and immunostaining of the cells was negative for human papillomavirus. Computed tomography and positron emission tomography/computed tomography demonstrated a large mass involving the abdominal walls and enlargement of the inguinal and right external iliac lymph nodes (Figure 1D). Her serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen level was also elevated (5.4 ng/ml; normal range, <2.5 ng/ml). The patients were then diagnosed with SCC arising from an enterocutaneous fistula (ECF) related to CD. She was treated with radiation therapy (30 Gy) for a skin tumor and bilateral inguinal lymph nodes, followed by chemotherapy with pepleomycin. Unfortunately, her disease slowly progressed and she died 5 months after her initial visit. Crohn's disease is a chronic inflammatory bowel disorder characterized by transmural inflammation and fistula formation.1 Perianal fistulas are common complications of the disease, and patients with anal and/or perianal CD have a high risk of perianal fistula-related cancer.2 Fistula-related carcinoma develops in approximately 1% of patients with fistulizing perianal CD. More than half of these carcinomas are adenocarcinoma; most of the rest are SCC. Compared with perianal fistulas, ECF is rare, but it is associated with significant morbidity and mortality due to various complications.3 Late complications, such as late onset of malignancy, have been given little attention in the literature, with a limited number of patients with cancers arising from ECF and only one fistula-associated SCC patient, who was treated with long-lasting azathioprine followed by infliximab, being reported.4 The causes of malignancies arising from chronic fistulas are unclear, but chronic inflammation and immunosuppression are considered mechanisms of carcinogenesis in CD patients. Chronic inflammation, a feature of CD, induces constant epithelial regeneration, ulceration, and high cell turnover rates, leading to dysplasia and subsequently carcinoma. Our patient was not treated with immunosuppressants or biologics; however, so it is likely that her chronic inflammation led to carcinogenesis. The onset of malignancies arising from ECF in CD patients may increase in future because of the expanding use of immunosuppressants and/or biologics and improvements in the treatment of acute complications of ECF. Therefore, diagnosticians should be alert to early signs of fistula-associated malignancies. The authors declare no conflict of interest. Approval of the research protocol: N/A. Informed Consent: The written informed consent was obtained from the patient. Registry and the Registration No. of the study/trial: N/A. Animal Studies: N/A.

Clinical significance of CD34, podoplanin and Ki-67 expression in patients with locally advanced squamous cell cervical carcinoma

The aim of the study was to assess immunohistochemical CD34, podoplanin and Ki-67 expression in cervical tumour of patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) staged IIB and IIIB, a relationship with selected clinical and histological parameters and its prognostic significance. This prospective study included 52 patients. Microvessel density (MVD) by CD34, lymphatic vessel density (LVD) by podoplanin and the Ki-67 index in specimens from paraffin blocks with cervical SCC tissues were examined. The relationship between these data and selected clinical and histological parameters was analysed. Positive correlation of MVD and the Ki-67 index was observed. No correlation was observed for MVD, LVD and the Ki-67 index in the tumour with staging, grading, length of treatment and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) concentration before and after treatment. The expression of MVD, LVD and the Ki-67 index in cervical SCC did not contribute to the risk of relapse and cancer-related death. No relationship was found for MVD, LVD and the Ki-67 index in cervical tumour of patients with locally advanced cervical SCC with staging, grading and serum SCC-Ag level. MVD, LVD and the Ki-67 index in the tumour did not contribute to the risk of relapse or cervical SCC-related death. Impact Statement What is already known on this subject? In many patients, invasive cervical squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is diagnosed in a locally advanced stage, when the prognosis depends on many well-known factors connected with tumour biology, staging and general condition of the patient. Despite numerous studies, the value of immunohistochemical CD34, podoplanin and Ki-67 expression in cervical tumour of these patients is still not well defined. What do the results of this study add? In our prospective study, no relationship for microvessel density (MVD), lymphatic vessel density (LVD) and the Ki-67 index in cervical tumour of patients with locally advanced cervical SCC with staging, grading and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) level was found. Additionally, MVD, LVD and the Ki-67 index in the tumour did not contribute to the risk of relapse or cervical SCC-related death. What are the implications of these findings for clinical practice and/or further research? Our study underlines the limited value of immunohistochemical CD34, podoplanin and Ki-67 expression in cervical tumour of patients with locally advanced cervical SCC. Further research should be focussed on identifying and validating novel prognostic and predictive factors.

Role of Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen-IgM in Response Assessment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Radiofrequency Ablation

Role of Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen-IgM in Response Assessment of Hepatocellular Carcinoma Radiofrequency Ablation

Long-term changes in serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen levels after surgery in patients with sinonasal inverted papilloma

ObjectivesThis study aimed to examine whether serum SCCA levels can be used as clinical markers for monitoring recurrence of sinonasal inverted papilloma (IP) during the follow-up period after surgery. We measured long-term changes in serum levels of SCCA after surgery in patients with IP and examined whether postoperative SCCA levels were associated with IP recurrence. MethodsTwenty-five consecutive patients (13 with primary IPs and 12 with recurrent IPs after their previous surgery) were included in this study. All patients underwent endoscopic or external surgery. Postoperative serum SCCA levels were measured 3 months after surgery and every 3 - 12months during the follow-up. The optimal cut-off values of postoperative SCCA levels to predict subsequent recurrence of IP were evaluated using ROC analysis. ResultsPreoperative serum levels of SCCA were higher than the upper limit of normal range in most patients with both primary and recurrent IP, and significantly decreased after surgery. Thus, the presence of IP was closely associated with elevated serum SCCA levels. Moreover, postoperative elevation of SCCA levels was closely associated with subsequent recurrence of IP. Postoperative SCCA levels in 5 patients with recurrence were significantly higher than those in 20 patients without recurrence. The optimum cut-off value of SCCA levels to predict subsequent recurrence of IP 3 months after surgery was 1.85 ng/ml, with a sensitivity of 100.0 % and a specificity of 90.0 %. ConclusionsThese findings suggest that SCCA can be a tumor marker of IP. It is also suggested that postoperative elevation of SCCA levels is a clinical marker for monitoring the recurrence of IP during the follow-up period. A SCCA cut-off value of 1.85 ng/ml postoperatively may predict the subsequent recurrence of IP with high sensitivity and specificity.

Serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen is a predictive factor of outcomes in patients with locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma treated by definitive chemoradiotherapy

Aim: Definitive chemoradiotherapy (dCRT) is the standard treatment for locally advanced unresectable esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LU-ESCC). This study aimed to describe the results of dCRT for T4 ESCC and evaluate the pretherapeutic predictive factors of the outcomes. Methods: A total of 133 patients with T4 ESCC who received dCRT were grouped into those who achieved a complete response (CR) or those who had residual disease (RD). The clinicopathologic variables were compared between the groups and the overall survival (OS) was evaluated. The predictive factor of RD was assessed and the prognostic factor for OS was identified. Results: Among the 133 patients, 31 (23%) achieved CR. The CR group had a significantly better OS than the RD group (89.9 months vs. 10.7 months; hazard ratio = 0.096; 95% confidence interval: 0.05-0.19; P &lt; 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that a supracarinal tumor (OR = 3.21; P = 0.016), higher pretherapeutic serum SCC-Ag level (&gt; 1.6 ng/mL) (OR = 2.86; P = 0.018), and metastatic node invasion (OR = 3.19; P = 0.048) were independent predictors of RD. The increased level of pretherapeutic serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (&gt; 1.6 ng/mL) (OR = 1.61; P = 0.022) was an independent predictor of poor survival. Conclusions: Among the patients who underwent dCRT for LU-ESCC, 23% achieved CR, and the long-term outcome of these patients was favorable. Increased levels of pretherapeutic serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen were also found to be predictive of treatment failure.

Usefulness of Short-Term Imaging and Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen to Early Predict Response to Concurrent Chemoradiotherapy in Patients With Cervical Cancer.

ObjectiveThe objective is to investigate the factors that can predict early treatment response in patients receiving concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for cervical cancer.MethodsWe assessed clinical factors and treatment response in patients who underwent CCRT for cervical cancer at four time points: initial, 2.5 weeks, 6 weeks after starting CCRT, and 3 months after completing CCRT. The final treatment response was determined by positron emission tomography-computed tomography (PET-CT) 3 months after completion of CCRT. Patients were divided into two groups according to the final treatment response: complete response (CR) group or non-CR group. And the early CCRT response prediction model was developed using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.ResultsOf the 62 patients who underwent CCRT for cervical cancer, 57 patients who completed all 4 time points examinations were included in the analyses and classified as CR (n = 32) and non-CR (n = 25) group. Tumor volume and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC Ag) of the initial, 2.5 weeks, and 6 weeks after CCRT were significantly associated with the final treatment response. For the early treatment response prediction model, we selected patient age, tumor volume, and SCC Ag measured at initial and 2.5 weeks of CCRT as variables, and the equation of the final model was yielded. Using a cutoff of 0.433, this model had a sensitivity of 72.0%, a specificity of 84.4%, and a probability of 0.8225 (P < .0001).ConclusionShort-term (at 2.5 weeks after starting CCRT) measurements of tumor volume and serum SCC Ag were significant predictors of response to CCRT in patients with cervical cancer.

Detection Limit of the Four-Parameter Logistic Model for the Quantitative Detection of Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigenin Cervical Cancer Based on Surface Plasmon Resonance Biosensor

Biochemical diagnostic procedures, such as protein binding, rely on biomolecular interactions as its diagnostic modality, and as a consequence, their calibration curves are more complex. In addition, sigmoidal curves are often seen in these tests. In the event of asymmetry, a logistic (5PL) curve, or a logistic (4PL) curve, may be the best way to represent a distinctive sigmoidal relationship. It is possible that the linearization of an otherwise nonlinear connection by log transformation may result in a disruption of the error structure of the curve, and that this will have the opposite effect of decreasing or even eliminating error in the relationship. Previously, a surface plasmon resonance biosensor for the detection of squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCa) using nanoparticle technology was developed. However, based on the calibration curve, it conforms to the majority on sigmoidal shape curve for antibody-type sensing system. The resultant curve showed a sigmoidal calibration curve but was not modelled according to any of the sigmoidal models available. The LOD value obtained through the 4PL modelling exercise based on the classical method was 0.255 pM (95% confidence interval of 0.167 to 0.379) while the pooled standard deviation (PSD) method yielded an LOD value of 0.035 pM (95% confidence interval of 0.011 to 0.067), which indicates that the PSD method was superior.

Diagnosis Value of Colposcope Combined with Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen, Carbohydrate Antigen 125, and Carcinoembryonic Antigen for Moderate to Advanced Cervical Cancer Patients Treated with Modified Fuzheng Peiyuan Decoction.

Objective To explore the diagnosis value of colposcope combined with serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125), and carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) for moderate to advanced cervical cancer patients treated with modified Fuzheng Peiyuan decoction. Methods The clinical data of 43 moderate to advanced cervical cancer patients treated in Suzhou Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine from July 2018 to July 2019 were selected for the retrospective analysis, and 43 healthy women undergoing physical examination in our medical center in the same period were selected as the control group. The cervical cancer patients accepted the modified Fuzheng Peiyuan decoction treatment, the detection of SCC-Ag, CA125, and CEA and colposcope examination were performed to all research subjects, and the changes in indicators such as KPS scores and lesion perfusion parameters in cervical cancer patients before and after treatment were monitored, so as to analysis the clinical diagnosis value of combined diagnosis in treated patients. Results After treatment, the mean KPS scores were greatly higher and various blood perfusion parameters of lesions and serum SCC-Ag, CA125, and CEA levels were remarkably lower than before (P value <0.001 for all); the area under the curve of combined test was significantly larger than that of single test, and the sensitivity and specificity of the combined test were the highest; and after medication, the total incidence rate of toxic and side effects was 11.63%. Conclusion Fuzheng Peiyuan decoction has significant effect in treating moderate to advanced cervical cancer, and colposcope combined with serum test presents more accurate and credible diagnosis results and has great significance for future treatment, which shall be promoted and applied.

Prognostic Value of 18F-FDG PET/CT Volume-Based Metabolic Parameters in Patients with Node-Negative Stage II Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) is a major cancer prevalent in Asian males. Pretreatment tumor burden can be prognostic for ESCC. We studied the prognostic value of metabolic parameters of 2-deoxy-2-[18F] fluoro-D-glucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (18F-FDG PET/CT) and the serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) level in node-negative stage II ESCC patients. Eighteen males underwent staging evaluation were included. The volume-based metabolic parameters derived from 18F-FDG PET/CT, including metabolic tumor volume (MTV) and total lesion glycolysis (TLG), were obtained using the PET Volume Computer Assisted Reading application. The Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between metabolic parameters and pretreatment serum SCC-Ag levels. Based on the 5-year follow-up, patients were sub-divided into the demised and the stable groups. Potential prognostic value was assessed by independent t-test and the Mann–Whitney U test. The association of overall survival was assessed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses. The demised group showed significant higher values in serum SCC-Ag, as well as in MTV and TLG, but not SUVmax and SUVmean. The SUVmax, MTV, TLG, and serum SCC-Ag showed significant association with overall survival. Our findings suggest potential usage of pretreatment volume-based metabolic parameters of 18F-FDG PET/CT and serum SCC-Ag as prognostic factors for node-negative stage II ESCC patients.

Curative Radiotherapy for Stage IVB or Recurrent Uterine Cancer Presenting With Supraclavicular or Mediastinal Lymph Node Metastasis

Uterine cancer patients with supraclavicular or mediastinal lymph node metastasis are usually considered candidates for systemic chemotherapy or are treated with palliative radiotherapy for specific symptom control. However, if there are no additional hematogenous metastasis, we hypnotized that curative radiotherapy could be effective. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of radiotherapy with curative intent to this type of patients.The medical records of uterine cancer patients with supraclavicular or mediastinal lymph nodal metastases, who received radiotherapy for curative intend were reviewed. Both who were initial presented with these lymph node metastases and who were presented as recurrence after treatment were included. Patients with hematogenous metastasis were excluded from the analysis. Overall survival and progression free survival, acute and late adverse effect (NCI-CTC ver. 5) was evaluated. In patients with recurrence, the first site of recurrence was also recorded.Eligible patients were 30 (supraclavicular lymph node metastasis: 23, mediastinal lymph node metastasis: 7). Median age was 52 (range 36-82) years. The primary site was cervical cancer in 24 and endometrial cancer in six. De novo tumors were 20 and recurrent tumors were 10. Out of the cervical cancer patients, one patient presented with adenocarcinoma, and the rest had squamous cell carcinoma. Concomitant systemic therapy was performed in 26 patients, which was platinum based in 20 patients, 5FU in five patients, medroxyprogesterone in one patient. The patients with PS0, 1, 2 were 27, 2, 1, respectively. All patients received 60 Gy in 30 fractions to the metastatic site (if de novo tumors, also brachytherapy, whole pelvis and paraaortic lymph node was included). Median follow-up was 16 (range 3-120) months. Acute grade 3-4 esophagitis, neutropenia, anemia, and thrombocytopenia were observed in 6.7%, 56.7%. 40.0% and 13,3%. Late toxicity was observed in one patient which was grade 1 skin induration. One- and two-year overall survival was 66.1% and 45.4%, respectively. One-and two-year progression free survival was 47.4% and 30.7%, respectively. On multivariate analysis, serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen < 6 ng/mL had correlation with good progression free survival. First site of recurrence was lymph node in 11, lung metastasis in six patients, brain metastasis in three patients, and peritoneal dissemination in two patients (one patients presented with two sites of metastasis).Curative radiotherapy is feasible for Stage IVB or recurrent uterine cancer presenting with supraclavicular or mediastinal lymph node metastasis without hematogenous metastasis. Large scale, prospective trials are warranted.A.I. Saito: None.

Serum SCCA as an Early Indicator of Recurrence in Cervical Cancer

Patients with recurrence of cervical cancer after definitive radiation therapy (RT) have < 5% long-term survival. Early detection of asymptomatic recurrence may provide an opportunity for salvage. Serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCA) is an effective biomarker for response to RT and overall prognosis. Retrospective studies indicate that elevated serum SCCA in the post-RT surveillance setting may also be useful to detect asymptomatic recurrence. We hypothesized that elevated serum SCCA at follow-up is a specific indicator of recurrence after definitive RT.Serum SCCA (fuSCCA) values measured during the surveillance of patients treated with definitive-intent RT from 2007-2019 were retrospectively analyzed. Serum SCCA was measured by ELISA in a CLIA-certified lab (normal range 0.0-2.2 ng/mL), and was recorded along with patient and tumor factors. Follow-up consisted of history, physical examination, serum SCCA, and imaging when indicated. Recurrence was confirmed pathologically when possible. FuSCCA was defined as the last available value, or as the value closest to the date of recurrence (no more than 6 months prior and 3 weeks after). Sensitivity (Se), specificity (Sp), positive predictive value (PPV) and negative predictive value (NPV) of fuSCCA was determined for recurrence. Analysis was performed for the whole cohort and for a subgroup of patients with available pretreatment SCCA values. Difference in fuSCCA between patients with and without recurrence was compared using a Student's t-test.258 patients were identified with any follow-up SCCA value, 227 with fuSCCA as defined above. Mean age at diagnosis of the whole cohort was 52.7 years. FIGO stage was IB in 19.8%, IIB in 22.9%, IIIC1 in 39.1%, and IIIC2 in 13.2% of patients. After a median of follow-up 50.4 months (range 1.4 - 147.7), 67.1% of patients had no evidence of disease, 6.2% were alive with disease, 21.7% had died of cervical cancer, and 5.0% had died of intercurrent disease. Mean fuSCCA was 0.9 ng/mL (range 0-26.6) for 175 patients with no recurrence and 6.0 ng/mL (range 0-97) for 52 patients with recurrence (two-tailed P = 0.02). Se, Sp, PPV, and NPV of last fuSCCA for recurrence all patients and those with elevated pretreatment serum SCCA is shown in Table 1. Of 81 patients with normal pre-treatment SCCA only two had an elevated value at any point during surveillance, one of whom experienced recurrence.For patients with elevated pre-treatment serum SCCA, surveillance serum SCCA is an inexpensive and accessible test with high specificity and negative predictive value for recurrence. Surveillance of serum SCCA is of limited utility in patients with normal pre-treatment values.

The Non-Cancer Specific Elevation of the Serum Squamous Cell Carcinoma Antigen during the Post-Radiotherapy Follow-Up of Cervical Cancer Patients.

The elevation of the serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen unrelated to disease progression occurs during the follow-up of patients with cervical cancer treated with radiotherapy. Although known empirically, the incidence and characteristics of this non-cancer specific elevation in SCC remain unclear. Here, we examined the post-treatment kinetics of SCC in 143 consecutive patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the cervix treated with definitive radiotherapy; in all patients, progression-free disease status was confirmed by periodic monitoring for at least 36 months (median, 61 months). We found that the 5-year cumulative incidence of post-treatment SCC elevation was unexpectedly high at 37.3% (59/143 patients), and that 59.3% (35/59) of event-positive patients experienced multiple events. The median peak SCC level for a given event was 2.0 ng/mL (interquartile range, 1.7–2.9 ng/mL). The multivariate analysis showed that renal dysfunction was associated significantly with a greater incidence of SCC elevation (p = 0.046). In addition, the 5-year cumulative incidence of SCC elevation was significantly greater in patients with renal dysfunction than in those without (54.8% vs. 32.9%, respectively; hazard ratio, 2.1 [95% confidence interval, 1.1–4.2]; p = 0.028). These data will be useful for monitoring cervical cancer patients treated with radiotherapy.

A study on the clinical value of 18F‑fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography combined with serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen in diagnosing recurrence/metastases in patients with early metaphase cervical cancer

Cervical cancer (CC) is the most common female genital tract malignancy, with repercussions on the psychophysiological health of female patients. Patients with CC are faced with a high risk of postoperative recurrence and metastases. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical value of 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) combined with serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) in the diagnosis of postoperative recurrence/metastases in patients with early stage CC. This was a prospective follow-up study on 246 patients who received surgery for early stage CC. The results of clinical follow-up and pathological examination were taken as the gold standard. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve were calculated for PET/CT, serum SCC-Ag determination and the combined PET/CT and serum SCC-Ag method. Results demonstrated that 90.11% patients completed the follow-up, and the median follow-up time was 22 months (range, 7–42 months). Tumor recurrence or metastasis was confirmed in a total of 137 patients (55.7%), including 18 deaths. The diagnostic sensitivity of PET/CT scan combined with serum SCC-Ag determination for postoperative metastases/recurrence in patients with early stage CC was 93.43% (95% CI, 0.875–0.967). The specificity was 92.67% (95% CI, 0.856–0.965), the positive predictive value was 94.12% (95% CI, 0.884–0.972), the negative predictive value was 91.81% (95% CI, 0.846–0.959) and the area under the ROC curve was 0.930±0.019 (95% CI, 0.893–0.968; P<0.001). The results also revealed that the serum SCC-Ag level was positively correlated with SUVmax (r=0.458; P<0.001). The results from the present study demonstrated that for patients with early metaphase CC, PET/CT scan combined with serum SCC-Ag determination during the follow-up was capable of earlier, more comprehensive and more accurate detection of recurrence/metastatic lesions, which is of high clinical application value.

Predictive value of preoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen level for lymph node metastasis in early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

To explore the predictive value of preoperative serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCC-Ag) level for lymph node metastasis (LNM), particularly, in patients surgically treated for early-stage cervical squamous cell carcinoma.We enrolled 162 patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma stages IB to IIA following the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) 2009 classification. The patients had previously undergone radical surgery. Correlation of the SCC-Ag level with clinicopathological features and the predictive value of SCC-Ag for LNM were analyzed.High preoperative SCC-Ag level was correlated with FIGO stage (P = .001), tumor diameter >4 cm (P < .001), stromal infiltration (P < .001), LNM (P < .001) and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI), (P = .045). However, it was not correlated with age, histological differentiation, parametrial involvement, and positive vaginal margin (P > .05). Univariate analysis revealed that FIGO stage (P = .015), tumor diameter (P = .044), stromal infiltration (χ2 = 10.436, P = .005), SCC-Ag ≧ 2.75 ng/mL (χ2 = 14.339, P < .001), LVSI (χ2 = 12.866, P < .001), parametrial involvement (χ2 = 13.784, P < .001) were correlated with LNM, but not with age, histological differentiation, and positive vaginal margin. Moreover, multivariate analysis demonstrated that SCC-Ag ≧2.75 ng/mL (P = .011, OR = 3.287) and LVSI (P = .009, OR = 7.559) were independent factors affecting LNM. The area under the receiver operator characteristic curve of SCC-Ag was 0.703 (P < .001), while 2.75 ng/mL was the best cutoff value for predicting LNM. The sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis were 69.4% and 65.9%, respectively.High SCC-Ag level was revealed to be an independent risk factor for the prognosis of squamous carcinoma of the cervix before an operation. Besides, SCC-Ag (2.75 ng/mL) can be utilized as a potential marker to predict LNM in early stage cervical cancer before an operation.

Protein Profile of Human Saliva as a Predictive and Prognostic Tool for OSCC in Tamol Chewer's Population in Assam.

Objective:To identify potential proteomic salivary biomarker in tamol chewers and comparing it to healthy and Oral squamous cell carcinoma cases. Methods:A total of fifty unstimulated saliva samples were collected from the healthy volunteers, tamol chewers (without tobacco), and OSCC patients referred to North-East cancer Hospital, Jorabat, Assam, India. The 2-D gel analysis and western blotting were performed to analyze protein profiling. Results:The identified proteins were serum albumin, HSP (Heat shock protein) 27, gamma actin, SCC (Squamous cell carcinoma) 1, and Annexin A4. All the proteins were associated with OSCC development when their values were compared with those of normal healthy subjects. HSP27 was subjected to further validation using western blotting methods. An increase of 18.39% (Serum Albumin), 15.04% (gamma actin), 14.01% (SSC 1), and 20.22% (ANX4) were observed in Tamol chewers when compared with healthy control subjects. Conclusion:Our results revealed that the identified salivary proteins have a positive association with OSCC development. Profiling of these saliva proteomes especially HSP (Heat shock protein) 27 as a potential biomarker for OSCC detection in the high-risk population is recommended.

Rs2686344 and serum squamous cell carcinoma antigen could predict clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy for cervical cancer

ObjectiveTo evaluate the predictive value of a single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) rs2686344 and squamous cell carcinoma antigen (SCCAg) levels in the clinical efficacy of neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NACT) for cervical cancer. MethodsA total of 92 patients with stage IB2-IIIB carcinoma of the uterine cervix who received NACT treatment were enrolled. The relationship between the genotypes of SNP rs2686344 which is located on CAMKK2 on chromosome 12, SCCAg levels and the response to NACT was analyzed. The relationship between the SNP rs2686344 genotypes, SCCAg levels, the response to NACT and the five-year survival rate was evaluated. ResultsThe effective group accounted for 84.85% in patients with low level (≤3.5 ng/mL) of post-treatment SCCAg (post-SCCAg), while the ineffective group accounted for 15.15%. The post-SCCAg levels and the genotypes of rs2686344 were significantly correlated with NACT response (P = 0.003, and P = 0.006). In patients with CC or CT genotype of SNP rs2686344, effective group accounted for 81.18%, while ineffective group accounted for 18.82%; For patients with TT genotype, effective response group accounted for 28.57%, ineffective group accounted for 71.43%. Post-SCCAg level >3.5 ng/mL and TT genotype of SNP rs2686344 showed as independent risk factors for NACT response in the multivariate analysis (P = 0.002, and P = 0.048). There was no significant difference in 5-year overall survival and 5-year disease-free survival between patients with different levels of post-SCCAg, or among different rs2686344 genotypes. ConclusionThe high level of post-SCCAg (>3.5 ng/mL) and TT genotype of rs2686344 may suggest a higher risk of poor response to NACT.