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

Background/aim 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. Patients and 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. Conclusion BP180 is a prognostic factor in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.