BP180 Is a Prognostic Factor in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: Prognosis plays a vital role in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patient management and decision-making. This study aimed to identify the role of BP180 as a prognostic factor in HNSCC.

Methods: Protein expression of bullous pemphigoid antigen II (BP180) was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC) in a tissue microarray study of 202 cases.

Results: IHC analysis revealed that protein expression of BP180 among HNSCC patients differed significantly in the presence and absence of neural invasion, and according to T status in laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer subgroups. Overall survival and multivariate analysis showed that positive BP180-IHC and advanced clinical stage were significant independent positive predictors of mortality in HNSCC patients. In addition, in the oral cancer subgroup, independent positive predictors were positive BP180-IHC, advanced N status and neural invasion. In laryngeal and pharyngeal cancer subgroups, predictors were positive BP180-IHC and advanced clinical stage.

Conclusions: BP180 is a prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.