Cysteine proteinase inhibitors stefin A and stefin B in operable carcinoma of the head and neckStrojan, Primož (Avtor) Budihna, Marjan (Avtor) Šmid, Alojz (Avtor) Svetic, Branka (Avtor) Vrhovec, Ivan (Avtor) Kos, Janko (Avtor) Škrk, Janez (Avtor) 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 SCCHN.Slovenian Medical Association - Slovenian Association of Radiology, Nuclear Medicine Society, Slovenian Society far Radiotherapy and Oncology, and Slovenian Cancer Society 20022024-01-31 11:38:28Neznano18063UDK: 577ISSN pri članku: 1318-2099COBISS_ID: 16895783Ljubljanaslby Authors