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The expression of EGF/EGFR in 47 laryngeal surgical specimens from 44 patients was examined. PCNA analysis as an index of proliferating cells was also performed in 32 cases of laryngeal cancer, six cases of pre-cancerous lesions and nine cases of normal laryngeal mucosa. EGFR failed to show a significant correlation with tumour behaviour, but EGF expression was statistically significantly higher in malignant (SCC) than in non-malignant tissues (pre-cancerous and normal tissues) (p < 0.006), and PCNA also showed a statistically significant difference (p < 0.016) between the two. In malignant tissues when EGF/EGFR in 'double-positive' and 'double-negative' cases was compared, a statistically significant difference in PCNA was found (p < 0.029); but this was not seen in non-malignant tissues. Our results support the hypothesis that an autocrime mechanism exists in laryngeal cancer and in this mechanism EGF may play an important role in tumour progression, especially when EGFR is overexpressed.

Larynges from 24 victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (S.I.D.S.) and 10 controls, with ages ranging from two days to 24 weeks in the controls and from two to 116 weeks in the S.I.D.S. victims, were transversely, step-serially sectioned and then stained to show acid, neutral and mixed mucus glycoproteins. The proportion of sulphated mucus glycoprotein and sialylated mucus glycoprotein to total acid mucus glycoprotein was determined by the use of various staining techniques and a comparison was made for each type between S.I.D.S. and controls. The differences were significant with a mean of 27 per cent in the controls compared to 59 per cent in the S.I.D.S. for sulphomucin (difference 32 per cent; standard error of difference 6 per cent; p < 0.01) and 73 per cent in the controls compared to 41 per cent in the S.I.D.S. larynges (difference 32 per cent; standard error of difference six per cent; p < 0.01) for sialomucin. The results suggest that sulphated mucus glycoprotein is secreted in excess in some victims of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

The distribution of substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) immunoreactive (ir) fibres in the cat's larynx was investigated utilizing immunohistochemistry. Many SP- and CGRP-ir fibres with varicosities were found within and below the epithelium and along the basement membrane of the mucosa of all different regions except in the membranous portion of the vocal fold. In the subepithelium, some SP- and CGRP-ir nerve bundles and nerve fibres were recognized around the vessels and glands. In the mucosa, the pattern of distribution and the density of SR-ir fibres were similar to those of CGRP-ir fibres. These reactive fibres were denser in the supraglottic region than in the subglottic region. In the taste bud-like structures, only SP-ir fibres appeared, whereas in the motor endplates, CGRP-reaction was found exclusively. The present findings suggest that the regional distribution of SP- and CGRP-immunoreactivity might be related with sensory and autonomic innervation in the larynx.