[Modified quantitative determination of telomerase activity in human head and neck malignant tumor].
OBJECTIVE
To determinate quantitatively the level of telomerase activity in human head and neck malignant tumors and to analyze their relationship with clinical factors.


METHODS
Telomerase active level in 36 cases of malignant tumors, adjacent and normal tissues was determined by modified PCR-TRAP assay.


RESULTS
The positive rate of telomerase in tumor tissue, adjacent and normal tissues was 88.89%, 13.89%, 2.78%, respectively. We found: Although there is different TPG units in 32 positive cases, the level of telomerase activities is independent of the following factors: clinical stages, differentia pathological types and degrees. Simultaneously, we also found that there was a higher telomerase level in tumor than that in normal and adjacent tissues (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These data show that there is a high expression of telomerase in head and neck malignant tumors. The activated telomerase may be related to the generation and progression of carcinoma, and theoretically may be as a new biological marker and therapeutic target for these tumors.
Xian
Junming
J
Department of Otolaryngology, Huaxi Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041.
Liu
Shixi
S
Zhou
Guangyao
G
Yiang
Huan
H
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000201:enzymology; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000201:enzymology*; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000201:enzymology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D019098:Telomerase / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019098:Telomerase