CENP-F gene amplification and overexpression in head and neck squamous cell carcinomas.
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.


CONCLUSIONS
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.
de la Guardia
C
C
Department of Pharmacology, University of Puerto Rico, San Juan, USA.
Casiano
C A
CA
Trinidad-Pinedo
J
J
Báez
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D002503:Centromere; D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D005784:Gene Amplification; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016259:Genes, myc / Q000235:genetics; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D008875:Middle Aged; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
D002868:Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone; D008840:Microfilament Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; C094772:centromere protein F