Generation of precursor cell lines from preneoplastic fields surrounding head and neck cancers.

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) develops in the mucosal linings of the upper aerodigestive tract. HNSCC may develop in large preneoplastic fields, which are in most cases invisible, but can be detected microscopically and by genetic analysis. Cells of mucosal tissue biopsies were cultured and genetically analyzed. Genetic changes in established preneoplastic cultures were compared to the corresponding tumor and surgical margins. Of 45 mucosal tissue biopsies taken from primary tumor resection specimen, 26 were successfully cultured and could be genetically analyzed. In 1 culture, genetic changes were found and an immortalized preneoplastic cell line was obtained with genetic changes that were also found in a surgical margin of the corresponding specimen. Our data show that noninvasive fields surrounding HNSCC may consist of immortalized preneoplastic cell clones. Our preneoplastic cell line is a valuable tool to develop and test treatment strategies for precursor fields in patients with HNSCC.