An Investigation of Biomarker Candidate Molecules in Laryngeal Carcinoma

Although there has been a significant increase in survival in many other cancer types through the years, no significant increase has been achieved in laryngeal SCC survival rates in the last 50 years. Despite the advancements in surgical techniques, organ preservation protocols and multidisciplinary approach, significant amount of patients have been living with morbidity or dying due to recurrence and metastasis. This lack of significant improvement in mortality rates creates the need for reliable and accurate biomarkers in early diagnosis, treatment and follow-up. Considering that the prognosis of two patients at the same clinical stage and treated with the same treatment protocol may differ, it suggests that there may be some differences at the molecular level apart from clinical stages. This study was mainly prepared to determine serum levels of VEGF, sVEGFR1, VEGFR2, IGFBP-3, angiogenin and endoglin in patients with larynx squamous cell carcinoma; investigate their association with clinical parameters and determine their diagnostic and prognostic value. To reach these aims, 60 patients who were prospectively and consecutively recruited from those who admitted to Hacettepe University, Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Ankara, Turkey, and were diagnosed with LSCC between May 2018 and February 2020. 20 healthy and age-matched controls were chosen from the hospital staff and relatives of the patients. Serum samples were obtained from all participants at the time of diagnosis, centrifuged and stored at -80 C. ELISA method will be used to analyze the serum levels of VEGF, sVEGFR1, VEGFR2, IGFBP-3, angiogenin and endoglin. Data analysis will reveal if there are any association between biomarker candidate molecules and clinical parameters.