(P089) p16 as a Complementary Prognostic Marker for EBV-Positive Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Publication
Article
OncologyOncology Vol 29 No 4_Suppl_1
Volume 29
Issue 4_Suppl_1

Our results suggest that p16 overexpression can act as a marker for PFS and LRC in EBV-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. This interesting finding raises the possibility of further stratifying more aggressive phenotypes within EBV-positive tumors. Therefore, molecular testing of p16 expression may complement EBV status to provide more detailed and comprehensive guidance in determining the prognosis and predicting treatment outcomes for patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Wen Jiang, MD, PhD, Paul Chamberlain, Erich Sturgis, MD, Adam S. Garden, MD, Jack Phan, MD, PhD; UT MD Anderson Cancer Center

BACKGROUND: p16, also known as cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 2A, is a tumor suppressor protein that hinders cell cycle progression by inhibiting the formation of cyclin-dependent kinase complexes. Overexpression of p16 is associated with improved outcomes in oropharyngeal carcinoma patients. However, its role in nasopharyngeal cancer pathogenesis remains incompletely understood. Here, we set out to determine whether p16 overexpression status acts as a prognostic marker among nasopharynx cancer patients. 

METHODS: We retrospectively identified 86 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who were treated at MD Anderson from 2000 to 2014. Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) status was determined by in situ hybridization, while p16 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry. All statistical analyses were performed using the IBM Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) v22.0 software package.

RESULTS: A total of 44 patient samples were EBV-positive, and 40 were p16-positive. EBV positivity was associated with improved survival (44.9 vs 95.0 mo; P < .004), progression-free survival (PFS) (28.1 vs 80.4 mo; P < .013) and time to locoregional failure (expressed as duration of locoregional control [LRC]) (65.5 vs 104.4 mo; P < .043). Although p16 overexpression showed trends toward improved PFS and LRC, they failed to reach statistical significance. Overexpression of p16, however, was found to be a significant predictor for improved PFS (27.1 vs 106.3 mo; P < .02) and LRC (64.5 vs 93.6 mo; P < .02) in EBV-positive nasopharyngeal cancer patients using both univariate and multivariate analysis.

CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that p16 overexpression can act as a marker for PFS and LRC in EBV-positive nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients. This interesting finding raises the possibility of further stratifying more aggressive phenotypes within EBV-positive tumors. Therefore, molecular testing of p16 expression may complement EBV status to provide more detailed and comprehensive guidance in determining the prognosis and predicting treatment outcomes for patients diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Proceedings of the 97th Annual Meeting of the American Radium Society- americanradiumsociety.org

Articles in this issue

(P005) Ultrasensitive PSA Identifies Patients With Organ-Confined Prostate Cancer Requiring Postop Radiotherapy
(P001) Disparities in the Local Management of Breast Cancer in the United States According to Health Insurance Status
(P002) Predictors of CNS Disease in Metastatic Melanoma: Desmoplastic Subtype Associated With Higher Risk
(P003) Identification of Somatic Mutations Using Fine Needle Aspiration: Correlation With Clinical Outcomes in Patients With Locally Advanced Pancreatic Cancer
(P004) A Retrospective Study to Assess Disparities in the Utilization of Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy (IMRT) and Proton Therapy (PT) in the Treatment of Prostate Cancer (PCa)
(S001) Tumor Control and Toxicity Outcomes for Head and Neck Cancer Patients Re-Treated With Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT)-A Fifteen-Year Experience
(S003) Weekly IGRT Volumetric Response Analysis as a Predictive Tool for Locoregional Control in Head and Neck Cancer Radiotherapy 
(S004) Combination of Radiotherapy and Cetuximab for Aggressive, High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer of the Head and Neck: A Propensity Score Analysis
(S005) Radiotherapy for Carcinoma of the Hypopharynx Over Five Decades: Experience at a Single Institution
(S002) Prognostic Value of Intraradiation Treatment FDG-PET Parameters in Locally Advanced Oropharyngeal Cancer
(P006) The Role of Sequential Imaging in Cervical Cancer Management
(P008) Pretreatment FDG Uptake of Nontarget Lung Tissue Correlates With Symptomatic Pneumonitis Following Stereotactic Ablative Radiotherapy (SABR)
(P009) Monte Carlo Dosimetry Evaluation of Lung Stereotactic Body Radiosurgery
(P010) Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy for Treatment of Adrenal Gland Metastasis: Toxicity, Outcomes, and Patterns of Failure
(P011) Stereotactic Radiosurgery and BRAF Inhibitor Therapy for Melanoma Brain Metastases Is Associated With Increased Risk for Radiation Necrosis
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