title: Reliable detection of p53 aberrations in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck requires transcript analysis of the entire coding region.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Aberrations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene are common events in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, reported frequencies range considerably, and the predictive value of aberrant p53 is continuing to be an issue of controversy. These inconsistencies are possibly caused by methodical limitations.
  
  
  METHODS
  In cell lines established from 23 SCCHN, we performed sequence analysis of p53 mRNA and genomic DNA, as well as protein detection using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Of the 23 SCCHN, 21 (91%) tumors have aberrant or no p53, including four aberrations (19%) located outside the usually examined exons 5 to 9. A second allele is present in 11, and the respective transcript in 4 tumors. Expression of protein could be detected in only 12 of the 21 p53 aberrant tumors (57%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Depending on the methodical approach applied, a considerable number of SCCHN may be misclassified regarding their p53 status.
authors.affiliation: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery, Heinrich-Heine-University, Moorenstrasse 5, D-40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrich
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Hauser
authors.forename: Vera
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Balz
authors.forename: Thomas E
authors.initials: TE
authors.lastname: Carey
authors.forename: Reidar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grénman
authors.forename: Anke
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Van Lierop
authors.forename: Kathrin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Scheckenbach
authors.forename: Henning
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bier
mesh_terms: D015153:Blotting, Western; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics*; D005629:Frozen Sections; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009154:Mutation; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D017422:Sequence Analysis, DNA; D017423:Sequence Analysis, RNA; D014158:Transcription, Genetic / Q000235:genetics; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics
chemical_list: D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53