p53 abnormalities are rare events in neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the skin. An immunohistochemical and SSCP analysis.
The aim of the present study was to assess a possible role of the tumour suppressor gene p53 in neuroendocrine (Merkel cell) carcinoma of the skin with regard to tumour development and tumour progression. p53 was investigated in a series of routinely processed Merkel cell carcinomas, with application of four different p53 antibodies (CM-1, PAb1801, DO7, and PAb240) to 25 carcinomas and screening for p53 mutations of exons 4-8 by single-strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis in 9 cases. All 25 tumours in the present series showed the characteristic microscopic and immunohistochemical features of Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin. In 5 of the 25 Merkel cell carcinomas investigated 5-10% of tumour cell nuclei showed a positive p53 reaction with at least one anti-p53 antibody. A few scattered p53 positive nuclei were found in an additional 9 cases. The remaining 11 cases completely lacked p53 immunostaining. SSCP analysis of exons 4-8 revealed no significant alterations in the mobility shift of the single strand DNAs in the five cases with 5-10% p53-immunoreactive tumour nuclei or in five cases lacking p53 accumulation significant. Our results suggest that alterations of the p53 gene play only a minor part in the development or progression of Merkel cell carcinoma of the skin.
Schmid
M
M
Clinic of Dermatology, University of Münster, Germany.
Janssen
K
K
Dockhorn-Dworniczak
B
B
Metze
D
D
Zelger
B W
BW
Luger
T A
TA
Schmid
K W
KW
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015415:Biomarkers; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018807:Polymorphism, Single-Stranded Conformational; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
D015415:Biomarkers; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53