Numerical and structural abnormalities of centrosomes in oral cancer and premalignancy

Centrosomes play a critical role in cell division. Recent findings that both numerical and structural alterations to centrosomes occur in cancers support the possibility that such change may be a driving force for cancer development. However, little is known about centrosome alteration in oral cancers and premalignancies. The objective of this study was to assess the frequency of centrosome abnormalities in oral cancers and precancers utilizing immunofluorescence with antibodies to £^-tubulin, a well-characterized centrosomal component, and ƒÑ/ƒÒ-tubulin, the main component of centrioles. Fifty paraffin samples (13 oral cancers; 21 oral premalignancies; 16 nondysplastic controls) were used. The results showed a strong association of centrosome abnormalities and histology (cancer or presence/degree of dysplasia): size abnormalities: P