MCM2: Test of utility as a molecular marker in advanced-stage oropharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

5590 Background: MCM2 is a member of the family of minichromosome maintenance (MCM) proteins that play an important role in the regulation of DNA replication. MCM2 has been shown to be a proliferation marker in several types of tissue. In this study we examined the utility of the proliferation marker MCM2 as a molecular prognostic marker in 30 oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Methods: Parallel sections of 30 oropharyngeal tumors were stained with antibodies against MCM2. The tumor sub-sites were: base of tongue in 11 patients, tonsillar fossa in 13 patients, pharyngeal wall in 5 patients, and faucial arch in 1 patient. The percentage of positively stained nuclei was scored for each antibody. Clinicopathologic patient data were retrospectively collected from medical charts. Results: The average age at presentation was 52 years and 2 months (range 43 - 80 years) in the overall patient population. Twenty-four patients were men and six patients were women. Twenty-eight patients (93%) presented with adv...