Elevated Gene Expression in Peripheral Leukocytes as a Biomarker of Pharyngolaryngeal Tumour Patients

Árpád Németh1, István Szanyi2, Zsuzsanna Dombi1, Zsolt Csontos3, József Pytel2, Gyula Göbel2, Miklós Bauer2, and Ágoston Ember1

1 Department of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
2 Department of Otolaryngology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary
3 Departement of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary

Corresponding author: Árpád Németh
    Department of Public Health
    Faculty of Medicine
    University of Pécs
    Szigeti u. 12
    H-7643, Pécs Hungary
    E-mail: arpadnemeth@freemail.hu

CEJOEM 2005, Vol.11. No.1.: 16–20

Key words:
Pharyngolaryngeal cancer, oncogene and suppressor gene expression, white blood cells

Abstract:
The aim of this study was to investigate the expression levels of genes of pharyngo-laryngeal tumour patients. Our previous studies demonstrated that patients with different tumours show a significant elevation of oncogene and suppressor gene expression. In the present study gene expression levels of c-myc, Ha-ras, and p53 genes were investigated in peripheral leukocytes of pharyngolaryngeal cancer patients. These genes are commonly examined in studies of pharyn-golaryngeal carcinomas. When compared to samples of healthy controls taken from non-exposed members of the same population, significant overexpression of c-myc, Ha-ras and p53 genes was found. Further studies are needed to clarify the predictive and prognostic value of these over-expressions. The investigation of gene expression from RNA of peripheral white blood cells offers a suitable method for primary prevention and risk assessment.

Received: 3 February 2004
Accepted: 22 April 2005
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