p53 and MDM2 protein expression in squamous cell carcinoma and neighboring dysplasia from the upper aerodigestive tract.
BACKGROUND
The identification of genetic changes in preinvasive epithelial lesions may provide markers for a better assessment of the progression potential.


METHODS
p53, MDM2 and PCNA immunophenotypes were examined in 57 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the upper aerodigestive tract and the adjacent normal and dysplastic epithelia.


RESULTS
PCNA index increased with increasing grade of dysplasia. p53 protein was expressed in 35% and MDM2 protein in 33% of SCCs. The p53 protein was expressed in 89% of mild and moderate and in 93% of severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ adjacent to p53-positive SCCs. The MDM2 protein was expressed in 30% of mild and moderate and in 54% of severe dysplasia and carcinoma in situ adjacent to MDM2-positive SCCs. Preinvasive lesions adjacent to negative SCCs stained negative.


CONCLUSIONS
p53 protein was detected more frequently in preinvasive lesions than MDM2 protein and seems to be of greater value as a biomarker.
Ambrosch
P
P
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, University of Goettingen, Germany. ambrosch@med.uni-goettingen.de
Ruschenburg
I
I
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004064:Digestive System / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; C497206:MDM2 protein, human; D051736:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2