Quantitative analysis of TGF-alpha and EGFR mRNA in laryngeal carcinoma tissues.
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the stimulating role of the growth factor autocrine loop in the carcinogenesis and development of laryngeal carcinomas.


METHODS
The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction technique was applied, and with beta-actin as internal standard, TGF-alpha and EGFR mRNA in laryngeal carcinomas, macroscopically normal laryngeal mucosas adjacent to the tumor and in vocal cord polyps were quantitatively examined.


RESULTS
The mRNA index of both TGF-alpha and EGFR in laryngeal carcinomas and adjacent mucosas was significantly higher than those in vocal cord polyps (P < 0.05). The index of TGF-alpha mRNA was significantly higher in laryngeal carcinomas than in mucosas adjacent to the tumor (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
The autocrine system consisting of TGF-alpha and EGFR may play an important role in the very early stage of laryngeal carcinoma, or even when the tissue phenotypic alteration does not occur. The elevated TGF-alpha mRNA level may trigger a switch from genotypic alteration to the phenotypic. The results are expected to be a theoretical basis for the preventive chemotherapy of laryngeal carcinomas.
Yang
B
B
Department of Otolaryngology, Second Affiliated Hospital of Zhejiang Medical University, Hangzhou 310009, China.
Li
F
F
D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000235:genetics; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors