Genetic changes in oral premalignant lesion, condition, and oral squamous cell carcinoma - A study based on inhibition of G2M phase by colchicines.

AIMS: To assess the percentage of cell arrested in G2M phase by colchicine in the early detection and prognosis of oral cancer, by comparison of oral squamous cell with leukoplakia and oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF) using flow cytometry analysis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Biopsy samples 5 each of clinically diagnosed and histopathologically confirmed case of leukoplakia, OSMF, and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) are included in the study.

RESULTS: Colchicines significantly inhibited the growth of oral SCC-9 cell line by arresting G2M phase of the cell cycle (94.90%). This cell cycle result indicated that doubling of DNA is a characteristic feature of cancer. Colchicines significantly inhibited the G2M phase of the cell cycle in leukoplakia (33.51%) as compared to control (23.60%). Colchicines marginally inhibited the G2M phase of the cell cycle in OSMF (31.83%) as compared to control (28.36%). Colchicines significantly inhibited the G2M phase of the cell cycle in SCC (63.05%) as compared to control (26.40%).

CONCLUSION: DNA analysis by inhibition of G2M phase of cell cycle using colchicine facilitates early detection and also helps determine the prognosis of leukoplakia, OSMF, and oral cancer.