Telomerase is an enzyme responsible for maintaining the constant length of chromosomal telomers, which are necessary for normal function of eucaryotic cells. Presence of active telomerase in neoplastic cells prevents shortening of telomers what makes this cells immortal. Telomerase plays an important role in @entity105 . Aim of this study was to investigate the activity of telomerase in @entity135 and assess its diagnostic and prognostic value. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Material consisted of 30 @entity135 treated surgically and 9 samples from healthy skin and mucous membranes. Telomerase activity was investigated using TeloTAGGG Telomerase PCR ELISA method. RESULTS: Telomerase activity was found in 24 (80%) @entity5 . Relative activity of telomerase in @entity5 was from 16.9 to 766,2 RTA. Telomerase expression was much lower in samples of healthy skin and mucous membrane (RTA <5). Statistically significant difference was proven for T1 and T2 @entity5 , comparing to T4 @entity5 (p < 0.05). No statistically significant difference in telomerase activity for G1 and G2 differentiation @entity5 comparing to G3 and for @entity5 without lymph nodes @entity3 comparing to @entity5 with @entity3 . CONCLUSION: Malignant @entity135 show high activity of telomerase comparing to healthy tissue. Detection of telomerase activity in head and neck @entity5 can be a useful marker for @entity5 assessment. The quantification of telomerase activity has clinical diagnostic value for head and neck @entity5 . To make a convenience of telomerase as a marker for diagnostic and prognosis in @entity1 with @entity135 needs further investigations.

[Prognostic and diagnostic value of telomerase in the XXXX ].

@entity1 :: ('9606', 'Species') :: ['patients'] @entity135 :: ('MESH:D006258', 'Disease') :: ['malignant head and neck tumor', 'head and neck tumors'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['malignant tumors', 'cancer', 'malignant neoplasms', 'neoplasms', 'tumors'] @entity3 :: ('MESH:D009362', 'Disease') :: ['metastases'] @entity105 :: ('MESH:D063646', 'Disease') :: ['carcinogenesis']
@entity135 :: (MESH:D006258,Disease) :: ['head and neck cancer']
