Differentially expressed genes among different benign and malignant salivary gland tumors were identified by use of cDNA microarrays containing 19,000 human expressed sequence tags. Tumors were classified by using a subset of 486 genes. Benign Warthin's tumor and pleomorphic adenoma showed very distinctive gene expression patterns. One hundred and thirty-three genes differentiated the single malignant clear cell carcinoma from non-tumor salivary glands (P < 0.01), whereas only 16 genes

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... it from the highly related benign pleomorphic adenoma (P < 0.01). Fifty-seven cDNAs were associated with mucoepidermoid carcinoma (P < 0.01). The identified genes might help to disclose the molecular mechanisms and processes underlying malignant salivary gland tumors.