A. Dejmek et al., Correlation between morphology and telomerase activity in cells from exfoliative lung cytologic specimens, CANC CYTOP, 90(2), 2000, pp. 117-125
BACKGROUND. Telomerase is a ribonucleoprotein that compensates for the eros
ion of telomeres (chromosomal termini). Telomerase activity is detected in
more than 85% of cancerous lesions and is therefore considered a novel mark
er of cancer. The authors compared cytologic morphology and telomerase acti
vity at the cellular level to obtain further insight into their association
.
METHODS. The authors used bronchial washing and brushing materials obtained
from 18 patients with lung carcinomas (6 squamous cell, 8 adenocarcinoma,
2 large cell, 1 small cell, and 1 metastasis from colon carcinoma) and 20 p
atients with nonmalignant disease. An in situ telomeric repeat amplificatio
n protocol (TRAP) assay was performed, and routine Papanicolaou-stained sli
des using the same sample were assessed.
RESULTS. Nuclear fluorescent signals at the nuclear area, corresponding to
telomerase activity, shown by the in situ TRAP assay were only detected in
samples containing morphologically malignant cells. No nuclear fluorescence
was seen in the keratinizing component of well-differentiated squamous cel
l carcinoma. Nuclear staining was not seen in metaplastic or basal hyperpla
stic cells. Cytoplasmic fluorescence was only found in macrophages and poly
morphonuclear leukocytes.
CONCLUSIONS. Nuclear fluorescence corresponding to telomerase activity was
not demonstrated in metaplastic or basal hyperplastic cells, thus indicatin
g that detection of telomerase activity is closely associated with the pres
ence of malignant cells, but not premalignant lesions, in lung carcinoma pa
tients. Moreover, in some samples with cancer, cells failed to show telomer
ase activity, suggesting the limitation of this method for the detection of
malignant cells in certain lung carcinoma patients. (C) 2000 American Canc
er Society.