Fluorescence in-situ hybridization of 3p14.2 and 9p21 tumour suppressor genes as a tool for identifying abnormal genetic patterns associated with increased oral cancer risk

Oral cancer is typically diagnosed in late stages, resulting in poor prognosis and high mortality. Early detection is essential to improving survival. Fluorescence in-situ hybridization of oral mucosa cells detected abnormal genetic patterns in 3p14.2 and 9p21 in a population characterized with a higher than average risk for developing oral cancer. We hypothesized that these patients would contain a greater proportion of individuals with higher frequencies of detectable genetic abnormalities at 3p14.2 and 9p21 and their respective chromosomes, compared to a representative average-risk population. The data showed that while centromere deletions were more common at 3p in high-risk patients, 3p14.2 mutations were only significant when grouped with centromere alterations. In contrast, gene deletions were common at 9p21 with significant differences in 9p centromere amplification. These results suggest that 3p chromosome loss, 9p21 gene loss and 9p chromosome amplification are potential indicators of elevated oral cancer risk.