Maspin nuclear localization is related to reduced density of tumour-associated micro-vessels in laryngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: MASPIN, a tumour suppressing serpin, is a potent inhibitor of angiogenesis. CD105 is a proliferation-associated protein acting in endothelial cells of angiogenic tissues. For the first time the relation between nuclear MASPIN expression and CD105-assessed micro-vessel density (MVD) in laryngeal carcinoma was investigated. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The sub-cellular distribution of MASPIN and nuclear MASPIN expression were immunohistochemically determined in 35 cases of laryngeal carcinoma. The percentage of the fields occupied by CDl05-assessed micro-vessels was also calculated. RESULTS: MVD was significantly lower in laryngeal carcinomas with MASPIN nuclear staining than in carcinomas with cytoplasmic staining (p=0.02). The mean nuclear MASPIN expression was higher in patients without carcinoma recurrence than in those with recurrence (p=0.06). The mean MVD was significantly higher in patients with recurrence of carcinoma (p=0.024). CONCLUSION: The crucial role of MASPIN nuclear localization in reducing the MVD has been demonstrated. Nuclear MASPIN re-expression should be investigated as a potential therapeutic option in the treatment of laryngeal carcinoma.