Objective: To investigate the relationship between telomerase hTRT gene expression and malignant development of oral mucosa epithelium.
Methods: 82 cases were detected by in situ hybridization technique for hTRT gene, including 7 cases of normal oral mucosa, 7 cases of hyperplasia lesions, 30 case sof oral precancerous lesions (dysplasia lesion), 8 cases of oral mucosa carcinoma in situ and 30 cases of oral squamous cell carcinomas.
Results: 1. Weaker expression of hTRT mRNA was observed in normal oral mucosa and hyperplasia lesions. Positive cells were present in basal layer and parabasal layer, and hTRT positivity was 21.4% (3 of 14). 2. The expression of hTRT mRNA in the precancerous lesions was gradually strong associated with phenotypic progression and the degree of dysplasia. Positive cell extended to multi-layered epithelium, and hTRT positivity was 46.7% (14 of 30). 3. Strong hTRT mRNA expression was observed in squamous cell carcinoma, and the positivity was 81.6% (31 of 38).
Conclusion: Telomerase hTRT gene expression is closely related to the malignant degree of oral mucosa, the reactivated telomerase may play a crucial role in the progression of oral cancer.