Polymerase chain reaction–based restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis of the short arm of chromosome 3 in primary head and neck squamous carcinoma

Abstract

The results of the PCR-based assay and Southern blotting were completely concordant in all specimens the authors studied. This study indicates that deletion at 3p is a frequent abnormality in primary head and neck carcinoma and that the most common deletion region is telomeric to D3S32. The authors also observed an apparent correlation among poor histologic differentiation, DNA aneuploidy, and 3p deletions. Most poorly and moderately differentiated and aneuploid carcinomas manifested the 3p deletion. Therefore, the authors suggest an association between deletion at 3p and aggressive biologic behavior.