Detection of telomerase activity in oral lesions

Abstract

Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein complex intimately associated with cell immortalization and neoplastic transformation. In almost all types of cancer this enzyme is reactivated and stabilizes telomere length. It may be necessary for continuous cell proliferation. In this study we used a non‐radioactive polymerase chain reaction assay to analyze telomerase activity in various tissue specimens taken from the oral cavity. Four of 4 (100%) squamous cell carcinoma cell lines, 28 of 29 (96%) malignant tumors, 10 of 28 (36%) benign lesions, and none of the 14 (0%) oral control tissues possessed telomerase activity. Moreover, 4 of 15 (27%) oral rinses and 3 of 3 (100%) samples of ascites and pleural effusion taken from patients with oral malignancy were telomerase positive. These findings indicate that the evaluation of telomerase activity in tissue and body fluid specimens may provide information useful in the diagnosis of oral malignancy.

Increased telomerase activity and hTERT expression in human salivary gland carcinomas

“…mRNA expression of telomerase components in salivary gland tissues has been scarcely investigated (22,26). In the present study, hTERT mRNA was highly expressed in malignant tumors and correlated with the telomerase activity.…”

“…The TRAP signals were visualized with a fluorescence image analyzer (FUJI FLA-2000, Tokyo, Japan) and quantified by densitometric scanning using a Scientific Imaging System (Kodak Digital Science 1D, Rochester, NY, USA), normalized to the internal telomerase assay standard (ITAS) signals. To evaluate the activity of telomerase in each case, a sample showing ≥4.0 sequential bands was defined as telomerase-positive (22). We calculated the ratio of the density of the total number of ladder bands to the ITAS signal.…”

Telomerase activity in the occurrence and progression of oral squamous cell carcinoma

“…Most cancer cells, including oral squamous cell carcinoma cells, have telomerase activity (5)(6)(7)(8)(9)(10), and that activity is related to differentiation and proliferation (6,10). It has also been reported that many factors including interleukin (IL), protein kinase C, Wnt, and epigenetic factors regulate telomerase activity (11)(12)(13)(14).…”

Molecular alterations in the development and progression of odontogenic tumors

“…On telomeric repeat amplification protocol (TRAP) assay and immunohistochemistry, ameloblastoma tissues have been consistently positive for telomerase activity, suggesting that telomerase activation is associated with tumorigenesis of odontogenic epithelium (48)(49).…”