Abstract
Nitric oxide (NO) has a pivotal role in angiogenesis. The expression of NO synthase (NOS2) is down-regulated in basal cell skin cancer but we know of no studies that have investigated its expression in the more aggressive squamous cell skin carcinoma. This immunohistochemical study assessed NOS2 expression in 37 cases of head and neck squamous cell skin carcinoma. NOS2 expression was located in cells of the basal cell layer of epidermis, but was significantly increased in tumour epithelium. No correlations were found between NOS2 expression and tumour size or degree of tumour differentiation. The raised NO concentrations in these tumours may provide one explanation for their more aggressive behaviour than that of the slower-growing basal cell carcinoma.
Copyright 2002 The British Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons.
Publication types
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Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
MeSH terms
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Aged
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Aged, 80 and over
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / enzymology*
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / genetics
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Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
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Chi-Square Distribution
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Coloring Agents
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Cytoplasm / enzymology
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Epidermis / enzymology
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Epidermis / pathology
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Epithelium / enzymology
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Epithelium / pathology
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Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic
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Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / enzymology*
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / genetics
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Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
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Humans
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Immunoenzyme Techniques
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Immunohistochemistry
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Keratinocytes / enzymology
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Keratinocytes / pathology
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Middle Aged
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Neovascularization, Pathologic / enzymology
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / analysis*
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Nitric Oxide Synthase / genetics
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II
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Skin Neoplasms / enzymology*
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Skin Neoplasms / genetics
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Skin Neoplasms / pathology
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Statistics, Nonparametric
Substances
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Antibodies, Monoclonal
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Coloring Agents
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Nitric Oxide Synthase
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Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II