RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Telomerase Activity in Head and Neck Cancer JF Anticancer Research JO Anticancer Res FD International Institute of Anticancer Research SP 3125 OP 3129 VO 28 IS 5B A1 ZUZANA KUNICKÁ A1 IGOR MUCHA A1 JIŘÍ FAJKUS YR 2008 UL http://ar.iiarjournals.org/content/28/5B/3125.abstract AB Background: Telomerase activity is associated with many malignancies, including head and neck cancer. The use of telomerase activity as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of head and neck cancer development was examined and compared with standard histological analysis. Patients and Methods: Telomerase activity was determined using quantitative dual-colour real-time TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol). In each of 58 patients, a sample of tumour tissue, adjacent mucosa and normal muscle was collected. Results: Telomerase activation was observed in 88% of tumour tissues and 34% of tumour-adjacent mucosa samples. No telomerase activity was detected in normal muscle tissues. Telomerase activity correlated with tumour grade, with an average of 4.6 telomerase units (T.U.) in well-differentiated, 8.3 T.U. in moderately-differentiated and 20 T.U. in poorly differentiated tumours. Relapse occurred in 13 patients and no telomerase activity was detected in 3 recurrent tumours. Conclusion: Telomerase activity may be used as an objective parameter inversely related to tumour differentiation. Prognosis in telomerase-negative tumours is worse than that of the telomerase-positive group. Copyright© 2008 International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinassios), All rights reserved