ABSTRACT
The flow cytometer is capable of analyzing a large number of cells or cell nuclei. The flow cytometer has been used to analyze the DNA content of tumor cells from squamous cell carcinomas of the upper aerodigestive tract using a modification of the Vindelov staining procedure. The main difficulty in analyzing solid tumors using flow cytometry technology is the disaggregation of the cells and the quantification of the diploid point (2N point). A set of internal standards was developed for establishing the 2N point, as well as a technique for disaggregation, which is described. A histogram characteristic of a more aggressive squamous cell carcinoma which tends to recur more quickly and more frequently than the other squamous cell carcinoma histogram types was identified. The flow cytometer proved to be a practical method of analysis allowing for quantitative measurement of DNA content from a large number of cells originating from a squamous cell carcinoma. The trend between recurrence and histogram type will require further study.
Subject(s)
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/analysis , DNA, Neoplasm/analysis , Flow Cytometry , Laryngeal Neoplasms/analysis , Mouth Neoplasms/analysis , Tonsillar Neoplasms/analysis , Animals , Carcinoma, Squamous Cell/pathology , Diploidy , Humans , Laryngeal Neoplasms/pathology , Mouth Neoplasms/pathology , Prognosis , Reference Values , Staining and Labeling , Tonsillar Neoplasms/pathologyABSTRACT
The presence of Epstein-Barr virus genetic material was demonstrated in thin sections of biopsy specimens in 6 of 7 carcinomas of human palatine tonsil by the in situ hybridization test. The biopsy specimens from 4 tonsillar carcinomas exhibited a strong positive reaction; two biopsy specimens were weakly positive. Two tumor-free biopsy specimens were negative. None of the thin sections reacted with 3H-labeled herpes simplex virus DNA probe.
Subject(s)
DNA, Neoplasm/analysis , DNA, Viral/analysis , Herpesvirus 4, Human , Tonsillar Neoplasms/analysis , Adult , Aged , Autoradiography , Biopsy , Cell Line , Female , Histocytochemistry , Humans , Lymphocytes/analysis , Male , Middle Aged , Nucleic Acid Hybridization , Palate , SimplexvirusABSTRACT
Sera from 48 tonsillar carcinoma (TC) patients, 48 matched controls and 16 recurrent exudative tonsillitis (RET) patients were examined for the presence of Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) associated nuclear antigen (EBNA), early antigen (EA) and virus capsid antigen (VCA). Higher prevalence and significantly higher antibody titres against all three EBV-associated antigens were observed in TC patients in comparison with controls and RET patients. Patients suffering from anaplastic TC had higher titres of antibodies against VCA and EA than TC patients with other histological diagnoses. Five out of 11 TC biopsies obtained from 9 patients were positive for EBV DNA at levels of 0.17, 4 to 5, 15 to 18 and in two cases 3 EBV genome equivalents per cellular genome. Among 16 RET patients, 4 were found positive at levels not exceeding 2.17 EBV genome equivalents per cellular genome. Higher titres of antibody against all EBV antigens were found in TC and RET patients with EBV DNA-positive tonsillar tissue than in those with EBV DNA-negative tonsillar tissue.
