Mutations of the adenomatous polyposis coli gene in areca quid and tobacco-associated oral squamous cell carcinomas in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND

Adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene mutations have been demonstrated not only in colorectal tumors but also in a variety of human cancers.

METHODS

To elucidate the possible roles of APC gene mutations in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCCs), we examined 40 untreated human primary OSCCs using polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and DNA sequencing assays.

RESULTS

By screening nearly one-half of the coding region (codons 279-1673, including the MCR) of the APC gene, five missense mutations and a 1-base pair deletion were detected in five (12.5%) tumors, resulting in five amino-acid substitutions or a truncation of the APC protein. All patients with APC mutations were both areca quid chewers and tobacco smokers (P = 0.049).

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that APC mutations may also contribute to the carcinogenesis of at least some OSCCs in Taiwan, especially for the users of areca quid and tobacco.