[Expression and significance of fragile histidine triad in oral cancer and precancerous lesions].

OBJECTIVE

To detect the expression of fragile histidine triad (FHIT) in oral cancer and oral precancerous lesions and investigate the relationship between the FHIT expression and the histopathological changes.

METHODS

Immunohistochemical staining by SP methods was utilized to detect the expression of FHIT in 64 cases of oral squamous cell carcinoma, 39 oral precancerous lesions and 12 normal oral mucosa specimens.

RESULTS

The positivity rate of FHIT in normal oral membrane was 100% (12/12), and medium and high FHIT expression levels were detected in oral precancerous lesions but without significant difference from that in normal oral mucosa. In 64 oral squamous cell carcinoma specimens, 3 were negative for FHIT expression, 8 had low expression, and the other 43 had moderate and high expression. The rate of negative or low FHIT expression in the oral squamous cell carcinoma was 17% (11/64), which was significantly different from that in the normal oral mucosa and oral precancerous lesions, but the rate was not correlated to the differentiation of the cancer.

CONCLUSION

The tumor suppressor gene FHIT plays a role in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma.