Head and Neck Tumors

Madeleine Gross

Fig.1: Detection of gene copy number gains by FISH in squamous cell head and neck carcinomas. | © dkfz.de

Functional analysis of prognostic important chromosomal regions in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a malignant neoplasm with an incidence of more than 900.000 persons, per year, world wide. It belongs to the 6 most common human cancers. Characteristic for these carcinomas are amplifications of specific chromosomal regions, e.g. 3q25-qter and 11q13, within which several known oncogenes and potential candidate genes are present, and which may be involved in the development and progression of HNSCC. Preliminary work in our division has identified several candidate genes. The aim of this current project is to analyse the functional impact of the candidate genes on progression and metastasis in HNSCC. The generation of stablely transfected cell lines with the RMCE (Recombinase-mediated cassette exchange) approach will be the basis for long term studies. In these studies, the candidate genes will be permanently over expressed or knocked down and the function of these genes characterized.

Collaborations
Dr. med., Dr. med. dent. Kolja Freier, Klinik und Poliklinik für Mund-, Kiefer- und Gesichtschirurgie der Universität Heidelberg