26 KB116 KB20 KB199220252002Budihna, MarjanKos, JankoStrojan, PrimožSvetic, BrankaŠkrk, JanezŠmid, AlojzVrhovec, Ivanštevilka:2letnik:367 stranistr. 145-151ISSN:1318-2099COBISSID:16895783URN:URN:NBN:SI:doc-UJK0UC5WenAssociation of Radiology and OncologyRadiology and oncology (Ljubljana)cisteinske proteinazeglavanovotvorberak (medicina)tumorvratVrataCysteine proteinase inhibitors stefin A and stefin B in operable carcinoma of the head and neck|Purpose. To evaluate the significance of cysteine proteinase inhibitors stefins (Stefs) A and B for a treatment decision and prognosis in operable squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Patients and methods. Stefs A and B concentrations were determined immunobiochemically using ELISAs in cytosols prepared from the tumor and adjacent normal mucosa from 91 patients with operable SCCHN. The median follow-up period of patients alive atthe close-out date was 5.8 years (range, 5-9.3 years). Results. Stef A concentrations were significantly higher in tumor compared to normal mucosa (FM.05). When a subgroup with clinically palpable nodes) at presentation was taken into consideration (n=57), a significant difference in Stef A (P=0.03) and Stef B (P=0.02) concentrations between those with negative and positive necks, as determined on histopathological examination, was observed. On the univariate survival analysis, higher Stefsć concentrations turned to be prognostically advantageous. Stef A proved its independent prognostic significance also on multivariate setting. Conclusions. With the capability todifferentiate between the pN0- and pN+-stages of the disease in the patientsoriginally presented as node-positive, Stefs A and B could be useful markers when deciding on the extent of neck surgery. In addition, both Stefs proved to be reliable prognosticators for survival in patients with operable SCCHNTEXTznanstveno časopisjejournalsSlovenian National E-content AggregatorNational and University Library of SloveniaDruštvo radiologije in onkologije