MicroRNA-Based Cancer Mortality Risk Scoring System and hTERT Expression in Early-Stage Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Figure 3

The hTERT expression levels assessed by quantitative immunofluorescence assay. (a) Elevated hTERT expression levels (bright red dots on blue DAPI-stained nuclei) were observed in patients with poor prognosis (cancer recurrence and death within 5-year period) compared to those who survived the 5-year period despite having cancer recurrence. Dot plots comparing hTERT expression levels in poor versus favorable prognostic group. Bars indicate the mean hTERT expression level. (b) Minimal hTERT expression level was detected in normal oral organoids. In comparison, elevated hTERT expression level (bright red nuclear and peri-nuclear dots) was observed in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) organoids.

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