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Early genetic changes during upper aerodigestive tract tumorigenesis
W N Hittelman1, N Voravud, D M Shin
1Department of Clinical Investigation, University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030.
Journal of Cellular Biochemistry. Supplement
|January 1, 1993
Summary
Genetic changes, specifically chromosome polysomies, increase with cancer progression in the upper aerodigestive tract. This genetic instability may serve as a biomarker for oral cancer risk assessment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Genetics
- Head and Neck Cancer Research
Background:
- Upper aerodigestive tract tumorigenesis is hypothesized as a field cancerization process.
- This process involves multistep genetic events and is linked to carcinogens and premalignant lesions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate genetic changes in normal and premalignant tissues within the tumor field.
- To explore chromosome polysomies as a potential biomarker for oral cancer risk.
Main Methods:
- In situ hybridization with chromosome-specific probes was used to detect polysomies in head and neck tumor sections.
- Polysomy analysis was performed on biopsies of oral premalignant lesions from patients who did and did not develop oral cancer.
Main Results:
- Chromosome polysomies were observed in premalignant regions near tumors.
- Polysomy frequency increased with disease progression: normal (33%), hyperplasia (67%), dysplasia (95%), and squamous cell carcinoma (96%).
- Individuals with significant polysomies in premalignant lesions had a higher subsequent risk of developing oral cancer.
Conclusions:
- Results support the field cancerization and multistep tumorigenesis hypothesis for the aerodigestive tract.
- Generalized genetic instability, indicated by polysomy, may be a useful biomarker for assessing oral cancer risk.