Abstract
Background and Objectives
Fas and its specific ligand (FasโL), both of which are involved in apoptosis, exist in membraneโbound and soluble forms. The soluble forms (sFas and sFasโL) have been observed in various tumours, but their clinical significance has not yet been clarified. The aim of this study was to assess serum sFas and sFasโL levels in patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) and their possible correlations with surgical treatment.
Methods
Serum sFas and sFasโL levels were determined by ELISA in samples taken from 26 LSCC patients on the day before surgery (T0), and 2 weeks (T1) and 6 months after surgery (T2), and in samples taken from 35 healthy volunteers.
Results
The mean serum sFas levels in the 35 healthy volunteers and the 26 LSCC patients at T0 were respectively 5941โยฑโ411 pg/ml and 6290โยฑโ652 pg/ml (Pโ=โ0.63), and the mean serum sFasโL levels were 0.1โยฑโ0.05 ng/ml and 2.95โยฑโ0.8 ng/ml (Pโ<โ0.0001). After surgery, there was a statistically significant decrease in sFas at both T1 (Pโ<โ0.05) and T2 (Pโ<โ0.01), and in sFasโL at T2 (Pโ<โ0.01).
Conclusions
The decrease in sFas and sFasโL levels after surgery suggest that they may be produced by or closely linked to tumour cells. Larger prospective clinical studies of patients with LSCC will be needed to establish the clinical significance of sFas and sFasโL, as reported for other neoplasms. J. Surg. Oncol. 2003;83:112โ115. ยฉ 2003 WileyโLiss, Inc.