Clinical significance of elevated osteopontin levels in head and neck cancer patients

OBJECTIVES: Osteopontin (OPN) is associated with several human malignancies, but the role of OPN in head and neck cancer (HNC) remains unclear. We investigated the clinicopathologic relevance of serum OPN levels in HNC patients. METHODS: Serum OPN levels in HNC patients were determined by quantitative sandwich enzyme immunoassay (EIA). OPN levels and their correlation with clinical features were examined. In addition, serum squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) antigen was examined simultaneously. RESULTS: The mean OPN level was significantly higher in HNC patients (99.5 ng/ml) than in control subjects (55.3 ng/ml). OPN levels were significantly higher in patients with advanced stage HNC than in patients with early stage HNC. OPN levels did not correlate with SCC antigen levels. CONCLUSIONS: OPN may play a role in the pathogenesis of head and neck cancer (HNC), and serum OPN may be a potential biomarker of HNC.