Expression of the extra domain B of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis, in head and neck tumors

Publication

Expression of the extra domain B of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis, in head and neck tumors

Journal Paper/Review - Jul 1, 2003

Birchler Manfred T, Milisavlijevic Dusan, Pfaltz Madeleine, Neri Dario, Odermatt Bernhard, Schmid Stefan, Stöckli Sandro

Citation

Birchler M, Milisavlijevic D, Pfaltz M, Neri D, Odermatt B, Schmid S, Stöckli S. Expression of the extra domain B of fibronectin, a marker of angiogenesis, in head and neck tumors. The Laryngoscope 2003; 113:1231-7.

Type

Journal Paper/Review (English)

Journal

The Laryngoscope 2003; 113

Publication Date

Jul 1, 2003

Issn Print

0023-852X

Pages

1231-7

Brief description/objective

OBJECTIVES/HYPOTHESIS: The extra domain B (ED-B) of fibronectin, a naturally occurring marker of tissue remodeling and angiogenesis, is expressed in the majority of aggressive solid human tumors, whereas it is not detectable in normal vessels and tissues. STUDY DESIGN: In view of the diagnostic and therapeutic clinical applications of the L19 antibody, which is specific for the ED-B domain of fibronectin, a prospective immunohistochemical analysis of different head and neck tumors was performed. METHODS: In all, 82 head and neck tissue biopsy specimens were immunohistochemically analyzed using the L19 antibody. They consisted of 53 different malignant tumors, 8 benign tumors, 10 nontumoral lesions, and 11 normal control tissues. RESULTS: A strong positive staining with the L19 antibody could be observed in 87% of the investigated malignant tumors, in only 38% of the benign tumors, and in 20% of the nontumoral lesions (P <.0001). The extra domain B was completely absent in the normal control tissue samples. CONCLUSIONS: The results show that ED-B is abundantly expressed around the neovasculature and in the stroma of the majority of malignant tumors of the head and neck but is undetectable in normal tissues. The ED-B domain of fibronectin is a good-quality tumor-stroma-associated antigen that warrants clinical trials with antibody-based pharmaceuticals, including immunoscintigraphic investigations and radioimmunoguided surgery with the radiolabeled L19 antibody.