Endoglin (CD105) expression in head and neck basaloid squamous cell carcinoma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pathology
• Cancer Research

Background:

• Basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) is a rare, aggressive variant of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) predominantly affecting the head and neck.
• The clinical and biological behavior of BSCC compared to conventional SCC remains controversial.
• Tumor angiogenesis, crucial for tumor growth, can be assessed by markers like Endoglin (CD105), which identifies proliferating endothelial cells.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate CD105 expression in head and neck BSCCs.
• To compare the neo-angiogenesis in BSCCs with that of site- and stage-matched conventional SCCs.

Main Methods:

• Immunohistochemical evaluation of CD105 expression in nine head and neck BSCCs and nine matched conventional SCCs.
• Analysis of neo-angiogenesis parameters: mean area fraction, percentage of vessel-presenting fields, and vessel density.
• Statistical comparison of CD105 expression and angiogenesis markers between BSCC and SCC groups.

Main Results:

• Median mean area fraction of CD105+ vessels was 1.01% in BSCCs versus 0.9% in SCCs.
• Median percentage of vessel-presenting fields was 57.5% in BSCCs versus 46.67% in SCCs.
• Median vessel density was 2.07% in BSCCs versus 1.58% in SCCs.
• No statistically significant differences were found between BSCCs and SCCs for any evaluated angiogenesis parameter.

Conclusions:

• CD105 expression analysis suggests similar neo-angiogenesis in head and neck BSCCs and conventional SCCs.
• The biological behavior of BSCCs appears comparable to that of site- and stage-matched SCCs.
• Further research may clarify the clinical implications of these findings.