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DNA analysis of oral leukoplakia by flow cytometry
1First Department of Oral Surgery, Hokkaido University School of Dentistry, Sapporo, Japan.
International Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
|October 1, 1991
Summary
DNA aneuploidy may be linked to oral leukoplakia and squamous cell carcinoma. While normal tissues and benign tumors were diploid, many leukoplakias and carcinomas showed aneuploidy, suggesting a potential biomarker for oral cancer risk.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Cancer genetics
- Molecular diagnostics
Background:
- Oral leukoplakia is a precancerous lesion with varying malignant transformation potential.
- Epithelial dysplasia is a histological marker used to assess risk, but its predictive value can be limited.
- DNA ploidy analysis offers insights into cellular genetic stability and potential oncogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the DNA ploidy status of oral leukoplakias.
- To compare DNA ploidy in oral leukoplakias with and without dysplasia to normal tissues, benign tumors, and oral squamous cell carcinomas.
- To explore the relationship between DNA aneuploidy and the development of oral squamous cell carcinomas.
Main Methods:
- Flow cytometry was used to analyze DNA content in cells from oral leukoplakias, normal gingival biopsies, benign oral tumors, and oral squamous cell carcinomas.
- Samples were classified based on DNA ploidy status (diploid vs. aneuploid).
- Statistical comparisons were made between different tissue types and the presence of epithelial dysplasia.
Main Results:
- All normal gingival biopsies (11) and benign oral tumors (14) were diploid.
- Aneuploidy was detected in 32% of oral leukoplakias (19) and 48% of oral squamous cell carcinomas (50).
- No significant correlation was found between DNA ploidy and the degree of epithelial dysplasia in oral leukoplakias.
Conclusions:
- DNA aneuploidy is prevalent in oral leukoplakias and oral squamous cell carcinomas, suggesting a potential role in oral carcinogenesis.
- Diploid DNA content is characteristic of normal oral tissues and benign oral tumors.
- DNA ploidy status may serve as a valuable indicator in assessing the risk of malignant transformation in oral lesions.