Comparative study of frequency of micronuclei in normal, potentially malignant diseases and oral squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Context:The assessment of micronuclei (MN) in exfoliated oral epithelial cells is a promising tool for the study of epithelial carcinogens and can be used to detect chromosome breakage or mitotic interference, thought to be relevant to carcinogenesis.Aims:To detect MN in exfoliated oral mucosal cells in individuals using various tobacco forms and also to detect frequency of MN in premalignant lesions and conditions (potentially malignant diseases [PMD's]) and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). To correlate frequency of MN in oral exfoliated cells in clinically diagnosed cases of OSCC followed by a histopathological grading.Materials and Methods:A total of 90 subjects (30 smokeless tobacco users, 30 smokers and 30 nontobacco users) consisted of clinically diagnosed cases of PMD's and OSCC were selected for the study. Cytosmears from the groups were stained with rapid Papanicolaou stain. MN was identified according to the Tolbert et al. criteria.Results:MN cells were found to be significantly higher in smokeless tobacco users than in smokers. The frequency of MN was three to four times higher in patients with OSCC as compared to patients in PMD's (P < 0.0001). The frequency of MN correlated with the histopathological grade was statistically significant.Conclusion:MN index can be used as a biomarker/screening test among the high-risk groups particularly the smokeless tobacco users and PMD's. MN can be a candidate to serve as a biomarker for prediction of the grade of OSCC.

Comparative Study of Micronuclei Count in Patients with Different Tobacco-related Habits using Exfoliated Buccal Epithelial Cells: A Tool for Assessment of Genotoxicity

“…The results showed that the mean number of micronuclei in group III, i.e., subjects with combined habit (22.44 ± 9.84) was higher as compared with smokeless tobacco users (18.28 ± 10.00), tobacco smokers (11.38 ± 6.38), and control group (4.86 ± 2.49). Similar type of findings has been reported by Patel et al, 19 Palaskar and Jindal, 20 Bansal et al, 21 Motgi et al, 22 and Sangle et al 23 According to our results, the extent of genotoxic damage is more in smokeless tobacco users as compared with smoking tobacco. This may be explained by the fact that during chewing, mucosa is in direct contact with tobacco for a longer period of time as compared with smoking which may result in prolonged absorption of nitrosamines, and hence, considerably more nuclear and DNA damage.…”

Comparative Study of Frequency of Micronuclei Using Papanicolaou Stain in Potentially Malignant Disorders and Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…Collection of exfoliated cells [3] Subjects were asked to rinse their mouth gently with tap water before the start of the procedure. A slightly moistened wooden spatula was used to obtain the smear of exfoliated cells from the oral cavity (buccal mucosa in control group).…”

“…[2] Most of the oral cancers are preceded by the potentially malignant disorders (PMD) that give a warning of risk and provide an opportunity for detection and preventive measures. [3] The possibility of malignant transformation of PMD is reported to be between 6.6% and 36.4%. [4] Early diagnosis may improve the survival and decrease the morbidity of patients.…”

“…[4] Early diagnosis may improve the survival and decrease the morbidity of patients. [3] Oral cancer is attributed to complex karyotypes that include many chromosomal deletions, translocations, and structural abnormalities. [5] Micronuclei can be used as an indicator of genotoxic exposure as shown in the study carried out by Heddle et al (1983).…”

“…Micronuclei being structures presenting after genomic damage in buccal mucosal cells are good indicators of chromosomal alterations in cytological samples. [3] Indian J Dent Adv 2018; 10(1): [1][2][3][4][5][6] Journal homepage: www. nacd.…”