Association between clincopathological characteristics and hTERT expression as well as telomere length in...

This study aimed to investigate the human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) expression and telomere length in ameloblastoma, and expolre the role of hTERT in the invasiveness and recurrence of ameloblastoma.

hTERT expression was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting and telomere length by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in human ameloblastoma, normal mucosa, and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Association between clincopathological characteristics and hTERT expression as well as telomere length in ameloblastoma was analyzed.

hTERT expression in ameloblastoma was higher than that in normal oral mucosa, and the highest in OSCC (P<0.05). The hTERT positive rate and expression increased with the recurrence and malignant transformation. hTERT expression was significantly different among different types of ameloblastoma. The telomere was the shortest in OSCC and the longest in normal oral mucosa.

Ameloblastoma has shortened telomere, and is positive for hTERT expression which is related to the recurrence and malignancy of ameloblastoma. These findings indicate that telomerase is involved in the occurrence and development of ameloblastoma.