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Cenp‐F gene amplification and overexpression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas
Author(s) -
Guardia Carola de la,
Casiano Carlos A.,
TrinidadPinedo Juan,
Báez Adriana
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0347(200102)23:2<104::aid-hed1005>3.0.co;2-0
Subject(s) - head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , gene duplication , cancer research , gene , metastasis , biology , cancer , antibody , pathology , carcinoma , head and neck cancer , microbiology and biotechnology , medicine , immunology , biochemistry
Background Antibodies against cancer‐related genes have been detected in human cancers including head and neck cancers. High titers of c‐Myc autoantibodies have been linked to gene amplification and tumor progression. Centromere protein‐F (CENP‐F) autoantibodies have been detected in patients with various cancers, suggesting similar gene alteration. Methods CENP‐F and c‐MYC amplification was assessed in 72 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) patients. Tumor and matched mucosa from 22 patients were analyzed for CENP‐F mRNA levels by RT‐PCR. Results The larynx was the site most altered by amplification of either gene. CENP‐F and c‐MYC were amplified in 11% and 17% of the tumors, respectively. Coamplification was found in 7% of the tumors, most of which showed regional node involvement. CENP‐F mRNA was overexpressed in 36% of tumors, and 23% of paired mucosa. Conclusion Our results provide the first evidence that CENP‐F gene is amplified and overexpressed in HNSCC. No correlation was noted between CENP‐F amplification and clinicopathologic parameters. However, CENP‐F overexpression correlated with nodal metastasis. © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Head Neck 23: 104–112, 2001.