Telomerase activity detection in cholesteatoma

BackgroundIn cholesteatoma, there is lack of control over cell proliferation that is why ectodermal tissue grows to be an epidermoid cyst. So cholesteatoma may be considered as cell growth disorder but still the cause of this uncontrolled proliferation is unknown.ObjectiveThe aim of this study is to detect telomerase activity in cholesteatoma and meatal skin (as a control) and its relation to the clinical findings and severity of the disease.Patients and methodsSamples of cholesteatoma and meatal skin were obtained from 31 patients during ear surgery. Telomerase activity was detected using polymerase chain reaction based on telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay then collected data were statistically analyzed.ResultsTelomerase activity was positive in 17/31 (54.8%) of cholesteatoma samples and was negative in all meatal skin samples. Significant high rates of intraoperative ossicular erosion and preoperative air bone gap more than 40 dB were associated with positive telomerase activity.ConclusionsTelomerase activity may play a role in the hyperproliferative nature and uncontrolled aggressive growth pattern of cholesteatoma.