TISSUE MARKERS OF POTENTIALLY MALIGNANT HUMAN ORAL EPITHELIAL LESIONS

Tissue markers of potential malignancy have been sought for many years . Cell surface markers, particularly blood group and histocompatibilit y antigens, have shown great promise and several squamous carcinoma an tigens have been identified - but not fully studied in potentially mal ignant lesions. Growth factors and receptors also need further study. Cytoplasmic markers of potential malignancy have been examined and, of these, keratins, filaggrin, and some carcinoma antigens show most pro mise. Nuclear analyses have promise but are time-consuming and expensi ve. Image cytometric analyses appear to be sensitive and predictive: o ncogene and tumour suppressor analyses remain to be fully evaluated. N ew investigative techniques at the cellular and molecular level show i ncreasing promise at defining potentially malignant oral epithelial le sions but more prospective studies are required.