Apoptotic capacity and risk of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Tobacco smoke and alcohol drinking are the major risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN). Smoking and drinking cause DNA damage leading to apoptosis, and insufficient apoptotic capacity may favour development of cancer because of the dysfunction of removing damaged cells. In the present study, we investigated the association between camptothecin (CPT)-induced apoptotic capacity and risk of SCCHN in a North American population.

Methods

In a case-control study of 708 SCCHN patients and 685 matched cancer-free controls, we measured apoptotic capacity in cultured peripheral blood lymphocytes in response to in vitro exposure to CPT by using the flow cytometry-based method.

Results

We found that the mean level of apoptotic capacity i

SUBMITTER: Liu Z 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5287407 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature