Evaluation of mtDNA common deletion in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Mitochondrial defects are thought to play a role in cancer initiation and progression for a long time. Because of the absence of protective histones and an inefficiency in the DNA repair process, mitochondrial DNA is known to be prone to mutations. The deletion of 4977bp is one of the most common mutations in human cancers. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between 4977bp common deletion and Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma Disease (SCC) to provide prognostic information.

By using a PCR protocol, this study identified the 4977bp deletion of mtDNA. A PCR method was used on tumor samples from 41 squamous cell carcinoma patients and blood samples from 50 healthy individuals to detect DNA.

Among the 41 tumor samples (80.5%), 33 were found to have the 4977bp deletion, while none of the blood samples from healthy individuals contained it.

It is shown that the deletion of 4977bp of mtDNA correlates significantly with SCC in this study. A 4977bp deletion could be used as an effective cancer screening indicator and biomarker for early diagnosis and prevention of cancer.