TGF-{alpha} and EGF-receptor mRNAs in human oral cancer

Transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-) and epidermal growthfactor receptor (EGFR) have been shown to be present in mostsquamous cell carcinomas. Using the Syrian hamster oral cancermodel, we have recently demonstrated the consistent presenceof TGF- and EGFR mRNAs in chemically transformed hamster oralkeratmocytes. We now present evidence that in human oral cancer(in vivo and in vitro), TGF- and EGFR mRNAs can also be consistentlydetected. No TGF- mRNA can be detected in normal human oralepithelium by Northern blot analysis. These findings reinforcethe use of the hamster cheek pouch as an experimental modelfor the study of oral cancer development, at least in referenceto the possible participation of TGF- in the malignant transformationprocess.