Detection of oral and oropharyngeal cancer by microsatellite analysis in mouth washes and lesion brushings

Microsatellite allele losses are characteristic features of head and neck s quamous cell carcinoma and can be used as molecular markers for malignancy. We have investigated the detection of microsatellite allele loss in mouth washes and lesions brushings from 19 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity and oropharynx as a means of tumour detection. In 84% of the analysed cases, allele loss previously identified in the tumour of the se patients, was detected in these easily obtained specimens. No alteration s were found in material derived from 10 healthy individuals. Success of de tection was independent of tumour stage, suggesting that this approach may be useful for early diagnosis as well as for follow-up. (C) 2000 Elsevier S cience Ltd. All rights reserved.