Altered MUC1 and MUC2 glycoprotein expression in laryngeal cancer

The purpose of this study was to determine whether mucin expression is alte red in laryngeal cancer. MUC1 and MUC2 mucin expression was examined in bio psy specimens from 80 patients that comprised 23 laryngeal dysplasias, 36 l aryngeal carcinomas, and 21 normal larynx control specimens. High MUC1 expr ession was found in all 3 groups (P = 0.689, Fisher exact test). However, s ignificantly higher levels of MUC2 expression were detected in carcinomas c ompared with dysplasias and control specimens (P = 0.009, Fisher exact test ). Altered MUGS expression may be an important step in carcinogenesis in la ryngeal cancer.