Expression of oncogenes in human tumours with special reference to the head and neck region

Abstract

A major recent advance in cancer research has been in the field of oncogenes. Oncogenes are genes with a proven cancer association and which appear to be particularly implicated in cellular regulation and proliferation. The oncogenic potential of specific cellular genes has now been recognised and this has influenced current thinking concerning the initiation of carcinogenesis. The specific role of an oncogene is still incompletely understood but research with one particular oncogene (ras) has demonstrated that it can be involved in more than one stage of multi‐step carcinogenesis. New techniques are being developed and evaluated to determine the expression of specific oncogenes in normal and neoplastic tissues, with a view to using them in future diagnostic immunohistopathological methods. This review describes the concept of oncogenes and discusses their role in the development of neoplasia. The results of the expression of various oncogenes in human malignancies with special reference to the head and neck regions are discussed. Finally, the future prospects of this research field are examined their and its possible implications in cancer therapy.

Elevated P53 expression correlates with a history of heavy smoking in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

“…In addition Iggo et al (1990) Iggo et al, 1990;Harlow et al, 1985;Bartek et al, 1990;Takahashi et al, 1989 andChiba et al (1990). Chiba et al (1990) We have previously demonstrated that there is elevated expression of several oncogenes, (Ha-ras, Ki-ras, c-erbB-2 and c-myc) in the development of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (Field et al, 1986(Field et al, , 1987(Field et al, , 1989(Field et al, , 1990Field, 1991). We have reported a correlation between elevated c-myc oncoprotein expression and poor prognosis (Field et al, 1989), but as yet there is no published evidence to demonstrate that amplification or point mutations of oncogenes are associated with the clinical outcome of these patients (Saranath, 1989;Rumsby et al, 1989;Sheng et al, 1990;Field et al, unpublished).…”

High frequency mutation in codons 12 and 61 of H-ras oncogene in chewing tobacco-related human oral carcinoma in India

“…This high prevalence is in contrast to 2-4% of the total malignancies in the developed Western countries (Binnie, 1976;Field & Spandidos, 1987). In India, there is an unequivocal relationship between chewing tobacco and oral cancer (Daftary, 1990;Gupta et al, 1987;Jussawalla & Deshpande, 1971).…”

Restriction fragment length polymorphism of the L-myc gene in oral cancer patients

“…The tumour is relatively uncommon in the Western society, constituting 2-5% of all malignancies (Field & Spandidos, 1987). On the Indian scene, epidemiological and experimental evidence has indicated a causal relationship between chewing tobacco and oral cancer, tobacco being the 'sine qua non' of oral cancer (Gupta et al, 1988;Jussawalla & Deshpande, 1971).…”