We examined the expression of Centromere protein F (CENP-F) mRNA in 26 human salivary gland tumors (seven pleomorphic adenomas, three Warthin tumors, seven mucoepidermoid carcinomas, four adenoid cystic carcinomas, four acinic cell carcinomas and one malignant myoepithelioma) and four normal submandibular glands using the real time quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The mean expression level of CENP-F mRNA was higher in malignant tumors (1.05+/-0.32) than normal submandibular glands (0.11+/-0.05) and benign tumors (0.46+/-0.16). We found a significant association between the level of CENP-F mRNA expression and clinical stage in 16 malignant tumors (Mann-Whitney U test, p=0.027). We also found a significant correlation between the Ki-67 labeling index and CENP-F expression in malignant tumors (Spearmans correlation coefficient by rank test, p=0.029). These results indicate that human CENP-F mRNA is closely linked to the increased or abnormal cell proliferation in malignant conditions.