Neoangiogenesis in laryngeal carcinoma: angiogenin and CD105 expression is related to carcinoma recurrence rate and disease-free survival

Aims: Angiogenin regulates angiogenesis supporting primary and metastatic tumour growth. CD105 is a proliferation-associated protein expressed in angiogenic endothelial cells. The aim of this study was to investigate for the first time angiogenin expression in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and to evaluate the relationship between angiogenin and CD105 expression, clinicopathological and prognostic parameters. Methods and results: A total of 108 consecutive operable LSCCs were studied. Angiogenin expression was determined immunohistochemically in both carcinoma cells and intratumoral vessels. CD105 expression was evaluated in endothelial cells of LSCC and calculated by a computer-based image analysis system. The percentage of the fields occupied by CD105-assessed microvessels was determined. Angiogenin expression in carcinoma cells was higher in LSCC patients who experienced loco-regional recurrence of disease (P = 0.032). Disease-free survival (DFS) was shorter in cases with carcinoma cells showing angiogenin expression > 21.0% (P = 0.035). Angiogenin expression in carcinoma cells was correlated strongly with the angiogenin score in endothelial cells of intratumoral vessels (P = 0.0000). Higher loco-regional carcinoma recurrence rate and shorter DFS in patients with high CD105 expression were found (P = 0.0004, P = 0.0001). Conclusions: Angiogenin expression in laryngeal carcinoma cells and CD105 expression can be considered as potentially useful to detect LSCC patients with higher risk of disease recurrence who might benefit from more aggressive therapy.