Adenoid Cystic Cancer

Findings from Hirosaki University, Medical Department broaden understanding of carcinoma

Adenoid Cystic Cancer Library Library Home This article was published in Clinical Oncology Week, which you can subscribe to online.

"The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of topoII alpha in various types of salivary gland tumors and its biological significance. The protein expression of topoII alpha was evaluated immunohistochemically in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue from 54 salivary gland carcinomas and 20 benign tumors (10 pleomorphic adenomas and 10 Warthin's tumors). The primary salivary gland carcinoma specimens consisted of 17 adenoid cystic carcinomas, 7 adenocarcinomas not otherwise specified, 7 mucoepidermoid carcinomas, 6 salivary duct carcinomas, 3 acinic cell carcinomas, 3 carcinomas ex pleomorphic adenomas, 3 epithelial-myoepithelial carcinomas, 2 carcinosarcomas, 2 lymphoepithelial carcinomas, 2 myoepithelial carcinomas, 1 oncocytic carcinoma, and 1 squamous cell carcinoma. The associations between clinicopathological factors and outcome were analyzed. Of the 54 primary salivary gland carcinomas, 38 (70%) showed positive expression (>= 10%) of topoII alpha protein, and 16 carcinomas (30%) and all benign tumors were negative (p < 0.001). Expression of topoII alpha was more frequently observed in salivary duct carcinoma, carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma, adenocarcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma, solid type, and it was associated with advanced stage and shortened survival. The results of the present study suggest that topoII alpha expression is associated with histologically aggressive subtypes and shortened survival," wrote S. Maruya and colleagues, Hirosaki University, Medical Department.

The researchers concluded: "Furthermore, it may provide useful prognostic information and suggests the potential efficacy of topoII alpha-targeting therapy in patients with salivary gland carcinoma."

Maruya and colleagues published their study in BMC Cancer (Differential expression of topoisomerase II alpha protein in salivary gland carcinomas: histogenetic and prognostic implications. BMC Cancer, 2009;9():72).

For additional information, contact S. Maruya, Hirosaki University, School Medical, Dept. of Otolaryngology, Hirosaki, Aomori 036, Japan.

The publisher's contact information for the journal BMC Cancer is: Biomedical Central Ltd., Current Science Group, Middlesex House, 34-42 Cleveland St., London W1T 4LB, England.

Keywords: Japan, Hirosaki, Acinar Cell Carcinoma, Adenocarcinoma, Adenoid Cystic Cancer, Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma, Adenoma, Cell Proliferation, DNA, DNA Replication, DNA Research, Endocrinology, Enzyme Research, Enzymes, Enzymology, Medical Device, Mucoepidermoid Cancer, Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma, Oncology, Otorhinolaryngology, Protein Expression, Proteins, Proteomics, Salivary Gland Cancer, Salivary Gland Carcinoma, Salivary Gland Disease, Topoisomerase, Topoisomerase I, Hirosaki University, Medical Department.

This article was prepared by Clinical Oncology Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2009, Clinical Oncology Week via NewsRx.com.