Telomerase activity in head and neck cancer
Language English Country Greece Media print
Document type Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
PubMed
19031968
Knihovny.cz E-resources
- MeSH
- Smoking genetics metabolism MeSH
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Biomarkers, Tumor metabolism MeSH
- Head and Neck Neoplasms enzymology genetics MeSH
- Prognosis MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Telomerase metabolism MeSH
- Telomere metabolism MeSH
- Check Tag
- Middle Aged MeSH
- Humans MeSH
- Male MeSH
- Aged MeSH
- Female MeSH
- Publication type
- Journal Article MeSH
- Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't MeSH
- Names of Substances
- Biomarkers, Tumor MeSH
- Telomerase MeSH
BACKGROUND: Telomerase activity is associated with many malignancies, including head and neck cancer. The use of telomerase activity as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of head and neck cancer development was examined and compared with standard histological analysis. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Telomerase activity was determined using quantitative dual-colour real-time TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol). In each of 58 patients, a sample of tumour tissue, adjacent mucosa and normal muscle was collected. RESULTS: Telomerase activation was observed in 88% of tumour tissues and 34% of tumour-adjacent mucosa samples. No telomerase activity was detected in normal muscle tissues. Telomerase activity correlated with tumour grade, with an average of 4.6 telomerase units (T.U.) in well-differentiated, 8.3 T.U. in moderately-differentiated and 20 T.U. in poorly differentiated tumours. Relapse occurred in 13 patients and no telomerase activity was detected in 3 recurrent tumours. CONCLUSION: Telomerase activity may be used as an objective parameter inversely related to tumour differentiation. Prognosis in telomerase-negative tumours is worse than that of the telomerase-positive group.
Composition and Function of Telomerase-A Polymerase Associated with the Origin of Eukaryotes