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Telomerase activity in oral lichen planus
K Thongprasom1, A Mutirangura, S Cheerat
1Oral Medicine Department, Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand.
Summary
Telomerase activity is frequently detected in oral lichen planus (OLP) cases, regardless of dysplasia. This suggests telomerase expression in OLP may not indicate a premalignant condition.
Area of Science:
- Oral pathology
- Molecular biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Oral lichen planus (OLP) is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting oral mucosa.
- The role of telomerase in OLP pathogenesis and its association with malignant transformation remain unclear.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression and activity of telomerase in refractory oral lichen planus (OLP) specimens.
- To determine if telomerase activity correlates with the presence or absence of dysplasia in OLP.
Main Methods:
- Utilized a polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based assay to measure telomerase activity.
- Analyzed 20 OLP tissue specimens, categorizing them by clinical presentation (erosive vs. atrophic) and histological grade of dysplasia.
Main Results:
- Telomerase activity was detected in a majority of OLP cases (14 out of 20).
- Activity was observed in both erosive (7/9) and atrophic (7/11) subtypes.
- Telomerase positivity was found in 8/13 cases with mild dysplasia and 6/7 cases without dysplasia.
Conclusions:
- Telomerase activity is frequently detectable in oral lichen planus.
- Telomerase expression in OLP does not appear to be strongly associated with the premalignant phenotype or dysplasia.