Research Papers:
Nectin-4 is widely expressed in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma
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Abstract
Christine Sanders1, Jan-Frederic Lau1, Dimo Dietrich2, Sebastian Strieth2, Peter Brossart3 and Glen Kristiansen1
1 Institute of Pathology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
2 Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University Medical Center Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
3 Department of Haemato-oncology, University Hospital Bonn (UKB), Bonn, Germany
Correspondence to:
Glen Kristiansen, | email: | [email protected] |
Keywords: Nectin-4; enfortumab-vedotin; HNSCC; p16
Received: August 29, 2022 Accepted: October 12, 2022 Published: October 20, 2022
ABSTRACT
Purpose: Nectin-4 has been successfully established as a target molecule in locally advanced and metastatic bladder cancer. An antibody-drug conjugate (enfortumab-vedotin) directed against nectin-4 has shown marked tumor remission rates in this tumor type, which is known for high expression rates of nectin-4. As head and neck cancer and urothelial carcinomas share morphological and molecular similarities, we aimed to evaluate Nectin-4 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC).
Material and Methods: A previously described and clinically characterized cohort of HNSCC (n = 159) was analyzed by immunohistochemistry for Nectin-4 expression. The expression data was correlated to clinico-pathological parameters including patient outcome.
Results: Nectin-4 was found in 86.2% of HNSCC, with medium/high expression seen in 32.7% of cases. Non smokers and p16 positive HNSCC showed a higher expression of Nectin-4 (p < 0.005). There was no correlation of Nectin-4 with grading or tumor stage. Nectin-4 positive tumors showed a significant better survival (log rank p = 0.006).
Conclusions: Similar to urothelial carcinoma, Nectin-4 is found in the majority of HNSCC, which clearly warrants further studies to clarify if HNSCC also respond to targeted therapy with enfortumab-vedotin. Moreover, expression of Nectin-4 is associated with HPV infection and may serve as a prognostic marker in HNSCC.
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