A 13-Gene DNA Methylation Analysis Using Oral Brushing Specimens as an Indicator of Oral Cancer Risk: A Descriptive Case Report
Roberto Rossi,
Davide B. Gissi,
Andrea Gabusi,
Viscardo Paolo Fabbri,
Tiziana Balbi,
Achille Tarsitano,
Luca Morandi
Affiliations
Roberto Rossi
Section of Oral Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
Davide B. Gissi
Section of Oral Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
Andrea Gabusi
Section of Oral Sciences, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40125 Bologna, Italy
Viscardo Paolo Fabbri
Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, Section of Anatomic Pathology “M. Malpighi”, Bellaria Hospital, 40125 Bologna, Italy
Tiziana Balbi
Unit of Anatomic Pathology S. Orsola Hospital, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Achille Tarsitano
Maxillo-Facial Surgery Unit, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero Universitaria Bologna, University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, Italy
Luca Morandi
Functional and Molecular Neuroimaging Unit, Bellaria Hospital, Department of Biomedical and Neuromotor Sciences, University of Bologna, 40139 Bologna, Italy
Analysis of genetic or epigenetic markers from saliva or brushing specimens has been proposed as a diagnostic aid to identify patients at risk of developing oral cancer. However, no reliable non-invasive molecular method for this purpose is commercially available. In the present report, we describe the potential application of a procedure based on a 13-gene DNA methylation analysis using oral brushing samples from a patient affected by oral leukoplakia who developed two metachronous oral carcinomas during the follow-up period. A positive or a negative score was calculated for each brushing sample based on a predefined cut-off value. In this patient, a positive score was detected in the oral leukoplakia diagnosed more than 2 years before the development of oral squamous cell carcinoma and subsequently in clinically healthy mucosa 8 months before the appearance of a secondary tumor. This suggests a potential role of our procedure as an indicator of oral cancer risk.
