Fluorescence molecular imaging for identification of high-grade dysplasia in patients with head and neck cancer

Oral Oncol. 2019 Oct:97:50-55. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2019.08.008. Epub 2019 Aug 12.

Abstract

Objective: High-grade dysplasia is associated with a risk of malignant transformation, and it is necessary to distinguish from normal epithelium or low-grade dysplasia, especially in the intraoperative setting. We hypothesize that an anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) contrast agent can be used to differentiate high-grade dysplasia from low-grade dysplasia and normal epithelium.

Materials and methods: Patients with biopsy proven head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) were enrolled in a clinical trial using systemically injected fluorescently labeled anti-EGFR antibody (panitumumab-IRDye800CW) (NCT02415881). Paraffin embedded tumor specimens from 11 patients were evaluated by fluorescence histopathology. Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) slides were reviewed by a board-certified pathologist, and regions of invasive squamous cell carcinoma, high-grade dysplasia and low-grade dysplasia were delineated. EGFR expression was assessed for each patient by way of immunohistochemistry.

Results: 11 patients were included in the study with a total of 219 areas on tissue sections analyzed; 68 normal epithelium, 53 low-grade dysplasia, 48 high-grade dysplasia, and 50 malignant regions. The signal-to-background ratio (SBR) increased proportionally with increasing grade of dysplasia; normal epithelium (1.5 ± 0.1), low-grade dysplasia (1.8 ± 0.1), high-grade dysplasia: (2.3 ± 0.2). High-grade dysplasia had a significantly higher SBR when compared to normal or low-grade dysplasia (p < 0.05). Fluorescence histopathology positively correlated with EGFR expression by immunohistochemistry, which also increased proportionally with increasing degree of dysplasia.

Conclusion: Molecular imaging with an anti-EGFR agent can successfully discriminate high-grade dysplastic lesions from low-grade dysplasia and normal epithelium.

Keywords: Antibody; Dysplasia; Fluorescence imaging; Head and neck cancer; Molecular imaging; Near-infrared; Oral cavity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Epithelium / metabolism
  • Epithelium / pathology
  • ErbB Receptors / metabolism
  • Fluorescence
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry / methods
  • Molecular Imaging / methods
  • Panitumumab / therapeutic use
  • Precancerous Conditions / diagnosis
  • Precancerous Conditions / metabolism
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / diagnosis
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / drug therapy
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / metabolism
  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck / pathology

Substances

  • Panitumumab
  • ErbB Receptors

Associated data

  • ClinicalTrials.gov/NCT02415881