Role of micronucleus in oral exfoliative cytology

• Published in: Journal of pharmacy & bioallied science Vol. 7; no. Suppl 2; pp. S409 - S413
• Main Authors: Shashikala, R, Indira, A P, Manjunath, G S, Rao, K Arathi, Akshatha, B K
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: India Medknow Publications & Media Pvt. Ltd 01.08.2015; Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd
• Subjects: Dental Science - Review; Chromosomal aberration; Exfoliative cytology; genotoxic damage; micronucleus
• ISSN: 0976-4879; 0975-7406
• DOI: 10.4103/0975-7406.163472

In the last few years, the interest for oral cytology as a diagnostic and prognostic methodology, for monitoring patients in oral potentially malignant disorders and oral cancer has re-emerged substantially. In 1983, buccal mucosal micronuclei assay was first proposed to evaluate genetic instability. There are biomarkers that predict if a potentially malignant disorder is likely to develop into an aggressive tumor. These genotoxic and carcinogenic chemicals have been reported to be potent clastogenic and mutagenic agents which are thought to be responsible for the induction of chromatid/chromosomal aberrations resulting in the production of micronuclei. Various studies have concluded that the gradual increase in micronucleus (MN) counts from normal oral mucosa to potentially malignant disorders to oral carcinoma suggested a link of this biomarker with neoplastic progression. MN scoring can be used as a biomarker to identify different preneoplastic conditions much earlier than the manifestations of clinical features and might specifically be exploited in the screening of high-risk population for a specific cancer. Hence, it can be used as a screening prognostic and educational tool in community centers of oral cancer.