Increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in squamous carcinogenesis of the head and neck is less prevalent following smoking cessation.
Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent angiogenic peptide, is thought to provide a growth advantage to a number of tumors including squamous cancer of the head and neck. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the in situ expression of bFGF in lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) and to correlate that with clinical parameters and known risk factors for carcinoma. On surgical specimens from 52 patients, we used a colorimetric in situ hybridization assay to determine the expression of bFGF mRNA in normal and pathologic conditions commonly seen in squamous mucosa. The extent of reactivity for the bFGF transcript was recorded on a subjective scale from 1+ to 3+, based on the visual intensity of labeling. These findings were subsequently correlated with clinical data. Basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA was detected at low to moderate levels in all sections of normal mucosa, with no distinction between patients with or without squamous cancer. Inflamed mucosa had comparatively strong expression of bFGF mRNA. Among lesions implicated in the stepwise nature of squamous carcinogenesis, we found increases in bFGF expression that were most significant at the level of carcinoma in situ, persisting through the invasive and nodal metastatic stages of the disease (P < 0.005). Interestingly, those increases were significantly less frequent among former smokers (P = 0.02). We have established the expression of bFGF mRNA in normal, inflammatory, and neoplastic tissue within the UADT. Furthermore, we note for the first time that increased expression is associated with the acquisition of more aggressive biologic behavior in squamous carcinogenesis.
Hughes
C J
CJ
Department of Head and Neck Surgical Service,Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York 10021.
Reed
J A
JA
Cabal
R
R
Huvos
A G
AG
Albino
A P
AP
Schantz
S P
SP
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001483:Base Sequence; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016540:Smoking Cessation
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016222:Fibroblast Growth Factor 2