Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
24
pubmed:dateCreated
1997-1-23
pubmed:abstractText
The primary function of telomerase is the synthesis of telomeric DNA, which is the main pathway by which telomere length is maintained in the human germline and stem cells. Activation of telomerase is associated with elongation of telomeres and cell immortalization. Recently, telomerase activity has been detected in tissues from many human cancers but not in the majority of normal tissues, suggesting that telomere stabilization and telomerase activation may play a role in tumorigenesis. To explore telomerase activity in head and neck neoplastic and preneoplastic tissues, we studied 16 head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cell lines and 60 specimens from 29 patients with HNSCC for telomerase activity. We precisely compared telomerase activity with histological features in adjacent tissue sections. We detected telomerase activity in 16 of 16 (100%) HNSCC cell lines, 26 of 29 (90%) invasive tumors, 7 of 7 (100%) dysplastic lesions, and 5 of 5 (100%) hyperplastic lesions, whereas 0 of 17 normal tissues or 2 hyperkeratotic lesions had detectable telomerase activity. Our data indicate that activation of telomerase activity is frequent in HNSCC and may occur early in the tumorigenesis process. The reactivation of telomerase may be a useful marker for cancer risk assessment in the oral cavity.
pubmed:grant
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Dec
pubmed:issn
0008-5472
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:day
15
pubmed:volume
56
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
5600-4
pubmed:dateRevised
2007-11-14
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
1996
pubmed:articleTitle
Telomerase activity in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent tissues.
pubmed:affiliation
Department of Thoracic/Head & Neck Medical Oncology, The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston 77030, USA.
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S., Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't