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Lookup NU author(s): Professor Philip Sloan
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Background: Carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (Ca-ex-PA) is considered to he a malignant transformation product of pre-existing pleomorphic salivary adenoma (PSA). Aim: Our study aimed to characterise alterations in the immunohistochemical expression of the Fragile Histidine Traid (FHIT) and Cyclin-dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) (p16(INK4a)) genes during tumour progression model from PSA to Ca-ex-PA in a cross sectional study. Materials and Methods: Paraffin blocks of 29 cases of PSA which were surrounded by normal parotid gland, and 26 cases of Ca-ex-PA were retrieved and validated. In all cases of Ca-ex-PA, a PSA 'ghost' was identified and the malignant element was either undifferentiated carcinoma or adenocarcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining and evaluation for CDKN2A and FHIT in 55 specimens were undertaken. Results: The results showed positive nuclear expression of p16 and FHIT in normal parotid gland. None (0%) of the PSA cases demonstrated loss of expression of nuclear FHIT, while 6/26 (23.1%) showed loss of FHIT express. Loss of CDKN2A expression was found in 12129 (41.4%) of PSAs and 8126 (30.8%) of Ca-ex-PAs. The nuclear expression pattern for FHIT was significantly more frequent in Ca-ex-PAs compared to PSAs (p=0.014). Conclusion: Our data suggest that inactivation of tumour suppressor genes plays an important role in the evolution of Ca-ex-PA. Furthermore, alteration of CDKN2A expression was found to be an early event in the malignant transformation of pleomorphic adenoma and could be considered as a target for gene therapy. More interestingly, we found that nuclear FHIT expression could be used as a good marker to distinguish PSA from Ca-ex-PA.
Author(s): Kujan O, Tarakji B, Thakker N, Al Kheraif AA, Sloan P
Publication type: Article
Publication status: Published
Journal: Anticancer Research
Year: 2012
Volume: 32
Issue: 8
Pages: 3147-3152
Print publication date: 01/08/2012
ISSN (print): 0250-7005
ISSN (electronic): 1791-7530
Publisher: International Institute of Anticancer Research
