Heat shock protein and p53 expression in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Heat shock proteins have been associated with the mutant form of the tumor suppressor gene, TP53, and with resistance to cancer chemotherapy.


METHODS
Archival tissues from 50 patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who received primary surgical resection were examined for p53, HSP27, and HSP70 by immunohistochemistry and correlated with tumor stage, grade, and 5-year survival (alive or deceased).


RESULTS
Both heat shock proteins were strongly expressed in normal mucosa and in small (T1 and T2) tumors. Thirty (60%) of tumors were positive for p53, 43 (86%) for HSP27, and 34 (68%) for HSP70, with no association between p53 and heat shock protein expression. Twenty-five patients were alive (4 with disease), and 25 patients were deceased (9 from other causes). p53 Protein overexpression correlated with low-grade tumors. Only primary tumor site (i.e., oral cavity > larynx > oropharynx/base of tongue) and N stage were significantly associated with survival.


CONCLUSIONS
Heat shock proteins are expressed in normal upper respiratory tract squamous mucosa, and their role in carcinoma remains unclear. None of the markers, p53, HSP27, or HSP70, demonstrated prognostic significance for 5-year survival. We confirm the recognized association of cervical lymph node metastases with decreased survival.
Gandour-Edwards
R
R
Department of Pathology, University of California-Davis, Sacramento, USA.
Trock
B J
BJ
Gumerlock
P
P
Donald
P J
PJ
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery; D002423:Cause of Death; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000648:ultrastructure; D003593:Cytoplasm / Q000648:ultrastructure; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007820:Laryngeal Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D007822:Laryngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis / Q000473:pathology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D009092:Mucous Membrane / Q000473:pathology; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D009333:Neck; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018840:HSP70 Heat-Shock Proteins; D006360:Heat-Shock Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53