Competitive PCR to detect eIF4E gene amplification in head and neck cancer

Background. The protein eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (elF4E) binds to me ssenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) as the initial step in protein synthesis. O verexpression of elF4E results in upregulation of specific proteins essenti al to cell growth and division. Overexpression of elF4E has been found in h ead and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) and breast carcinoma. This stu dy's purpose is to determine whether elF4E overexpression is present and as sociated with elF4E gene amplification in HNSCC. Methods. Competitive polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was performed on eight HNSCC and seven intraoral benign lesions to determine the copy number of e lF4E relative to a reference gene, gastrin. Western blots were performed to quantify elF4E protein expression. Results. All eight HNSCC specimens demonstrated significant (p <.005) overe xpression of elF4E protein (14.1 +/- 10.4) and elF4E gene amplification (4. 5 +/- 1.2). Benign tissue did not exhibit elF4E protein overexpression or g ene amplification. Conclusions. Overexpression and associated gene amplification of elF4E were present in HNSCC but not in benign tissue. Gene amplification of elF4E may be an important mechanism for elF4E overexpression. (C) 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.