Cyclin L1 (CCNL1) gene alterations in human head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

We evaluated the expression and amplification of cyclin L1 (CCNL1) gene, a potential oncogene localised in the commonly amplified 3q25–28 region, in human head and neck squamous cell carcinomas (HNSCCs). Overexpression was observed in 55 out of 96 cases (57%) and amplification in nine out of 35 tumours (26%) with no relationships to the clinico-pathological parameters. The Cyclin L1 antibody we developed labels nuclear speckles in tumour cells compatible with a role for CCNL1 in RNA splicing.