Increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in squamous carcinogenesis of the head and neck is less prevalent following smoking cessation Journal Article


Authors: Hughes, C. J.; Reed, J. A.; Cabal, R.; Huvos, A. G.; Albino, A. P.; Schantz, S. P.
Article Title: Increased expression of basic fibroblast growth factor in squamous carcinogenesis of the head and neck is less prevalent following smoking cessation
Abstract: Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), a potent angiogenic peptide, is thought to provide a growth advantage to a number of tumors including squamous cancer of the head and neck. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the in situ expression of bFGF in lesions of the upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) and to correlate that with clinical parameters and known risk factors for carcinoma. On surgical specimens from 52 patients, we used a colorimetric in situ hybridization assay to determine the expression of bFGF mRNA in normal and pathologic conditions commonly seen in squamous mucosa. The extent of reactivity for the bFGF transcript was recorded on a subjective scale from 1+ to 3+, based on the visual intensity of labeling. These findings were subsequently correlated with clinical data. Basic fibroblast growth factor mRNA was detected at low to moderate levels in all sections of normal mucosa, with no distinction between patients with or without squamous cancer. Inflamed mucosa had comparatively strong expression of bFGF mRNA. Among lesions implicated in the stepwise nature of squamous carcinogenesis, we found increases in bFGF expression that were most significant at the level of carcinoma in situ, persisting through the invasive and nodal metastatic stages of the disease (P <0.005). Interestingly, those increases were significantly less frequent among former smokers (P = 0.02). We have established the expression of bFGF mRNA in normal, inflammatory, and neoplastic tissue within the UADT. Furthermore, we note for the first time that increased expression is associated with the acquisition of more aggressive biologic behavior in squamous carcinogenesis. © 1994.
Keywords: adult; human tissue; aged; aged, 80 and over; major clinical study; carcinoma, squamous cell; cancer risk; conference paper; gene expression; smoking cessation; smoking; fibroblast growth factor 2; in situ hybridization; molecular sequence data; head and neck neoplasms; rna, messenger; base sequence; head and neck carcinoma; middle age; basic fibroblast growth factor; chemical carcinogenesis; human; male; female; priority journal; support, u.s. gov't, p.h.s.
Journal Title: American Journal of Surgery
Volume: 168
Issue: 5
ISSN: 0002-9610
Publisher: Elsevier Inc.  
Date Published: 1994-11-01
Start Page: 381
End Page: 385
Language: English
DOI: 10.1016/s0002-9610(05)80080-7
PROVIDER: scopus
PUBMED: 7977955
DOI/URL:
Notes: Source: Scopus
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MSK Authors
  1. Stimson P Schantz
    115 Schantz
  2. Rafael H Cabal
    4 Cabal
  3. Andrew G Huvos
    289 Huvos
  4. Anthony P. Albino
    111 Albino