| abstract |
A method of detecting dysplastic regions within epithelial tissue samples is sensitive enough to detect and distinguish between low grade and high grade dysplastic regions. The method uses probes specific for expression and accumulation of substances within a particular intracellular region from a defect in apical membrane trafficking (trafficking markers) and in the preferred embodiment correlates the trafficking marker levels with the presence of an oncogene such as p53. If low grade dysplasia is present, trafficking markers are detected in a distinctive perinuclear pattern. Previous studies have demonstrated a high correlation of p53 over-expression with high grade dysplasia and adenocarcinoma. Detection of p53 is shown to be mutually exclusive of detection of trafficking markers. Therefore, dual detection for both the trafficking markers and p53 provides an accurate method for more precise grading of biopsies. This definitive assay and grading assists in identifying populations at risk for progression to adenocarcinoma. Preferred trafficking markers include Rab11, Rab25, g-adaptin and mannose-6-phosphate receptor. |