Telomerase activity as an indicator of malignant potential in iodine-nonreactive lesions of the esophagus.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Iodine-nonreactive lesions of esophageal epithelium often are associated with dysplasia and carcinoma. The authors examined the usefulness of telomerase activity as an indicator for esophageal carcinogenesis in such lesions.

METHODS:

Telomerase activity was measured using the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay in 18 samples of iodine-nonreactive lesions apart from the primary tumor in surgically resected specimens obtained from patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and 55 endoscopic punch biopsies of iodine-nonreactive lesions obtained from 25 patients with ESCC and 30 patients who had undergone endoscopic examination for other reasons.

RESULTS:

Ten of 18 iodine-nonreactive samples (56%) obtained from surgically resected specimens showed telomerase activity. In all ten telomerase positive samples, carcinoma in situ (CIS) was observed in iodine-nonreactive mucosa by light microscopy. In eight telomerase negative samples, no tumor tissue was observed in iodine-nonreactive lesions. In a parallel study, telomerase activity was detected in 28 of 55 endoscopic punch biopsy specimens (51%). CIS was observed in 25 of 28 iodine-nonreactive lesions with positive telomerase activity (89%), and tumor tissue was not observed in the other 3 samples (11%), which included 2 cases of severe dysplasia and 1 case of moderate dysplasia. No tumor tissue was observed in any of the 27 telomerase negative samples.

CONCLUSIONS:

Positive and negative telomerase activity was found to be correlated with the presence and absence, respectively, of immortalized tumor cells in iodine-nonreactive lesions. The measurement of telomerase activity in iodine-nonreactive lesions independently contributes to the selection of an appropriate therapeutic strategy.

• Authors: K Koyanagi, S Ozawa, N Ando, M Mukai, Y Kitagawa, M Ueda, M Kitajima
• Journal: Cancer (Cancer) Vol. 88 Issue 7 Pg. 1524-9 (Apr 01 2000) ISSN: 0008-543X [Print] United States
• PMID: 10738208 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright 2000 American Cancer Society.

Chemical References

• Biomarkers, Tumor
• Coloring Agents
• Iodine
• Telomerase

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Biomarkers, Tumor (analysis)
• Biopsy
• Carcinoma in Situ (metabolism)
• Carcinoma, Squamous Cell (enzymology, pathology)
• Coloring Agents
• Esophageal Neoplasms (enzymology, pathology)
• Esophagus (metabolism)
• Female
• Humans
• Iodine (pharmacology)
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Precancerous Conditions (diagnosis, metabolism)
• Telomerase (metabolism)