Expression of telomerase RNA in oesophageal and oral cancer

Downey, M.G., Going, J.J., Stuart, R.C. and Keith, W.N. (2001) Expression of telomerase RNA in oesophageal and oral cancer. Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine, 30(10), pp. 577-581. (doi: 10.1034/j.1600-0714.2001.301001.x)

Abstract

Background: Telomerase is detectable in 85% of cancers, but is largely repressed in normal tissues. Human telomerase RNA (hTR) inhibition is a promising anti-cancer strategy, but requires differential expression between malignant and normal tissue.<br/><br/> Method: Archival paraffin sections from 48 oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) (23 floor of mouth, 25 tongue) and 56 oesophageal carcinomas (41 SCC, 15 adenocarcinomas) were evaluated for hTR expression using a radiolabelled riboprobe. Results were compared with expression in controls and adjacent histologically normal tissue. Statistical analysis was by the chi² test.<br/><br/> Results: hTR was detectable in 76% of oral SCC overall (floor of mouth 65%, tongue 88%, P = 0.61), and in 54% of oesophageal cancers (SCC 51%, adenocarcinoma 60%, P = 0.56). Detectable hTR expression was significantly more frequent in oral SCC than oesophageal SCC (P = 0.01). hTR expression was only detected in normal tissue at low levels in basal squamous epithelium. There was agreement of hTR expression between 8/9 surgically excised carcinomas and their initial diagnostic biopsies. <br/><br/>Conclusion: Tumour-specific hTR expression confirms hTR inhibition as a possible therapeutic strategy in some if not all oesophageal and oral cancers. Generally concordant hTR status between biopsy and resection suggest that biopsy may have a role in selecting candidates for telomerase inhibition therapy.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Going, Dr James and Keith, Professor Nicol
• Authors: Downey, M.G., Going, J.J., Stuart, R.C., and Keith, W.N.
• Subjects: R Medicine > RC Internal medicine > RC0254 Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology (including Cancer); Q Science > QH Natural history > QH426 Genetics
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cancer Sciences
• Journal Name: Journal of Oral Pathology and Medicine
• ISSN: 0904-2512