Prognostic value of p53 overexpression in head and neck carcinomas: a pilot study.
OBJECTIVE
To correlate p53 overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region with the outcome of treatment.


METHODS
Twenty-five biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck region, locally advanced and untreated, were studied. Before treatment, all patients underwent fine needle aspiration from primary and/or metastatic lesions. Smears were prepared from the aspirate for immunostaining, and p53 overexpression was measured semiquantitatively. All patients received a radical dosage of radiation equivalent to 60 Gy for 6 weeks in 30 fractions from a 6-MV linear accelerator. Local-regional disease control was studied, and the mean follow-up duration was one year. The pretreatment values of p53 overexpression were correlated with the outcome of treatment.


RESULTS
Overexpression of p53 was found in 36% patients. At the end of 1 year, 6/9 patients showing overexpression were disease free as compared to 5/16 patients without overexpression. The difference was not significant (chi2 test, P>.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Response to radiation therapy is not dependent on p53 overexpression in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region. However, this was only a pilot study, and a large number of cases are needed to establish the prognostic value of p53 overexpression in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.
Ghoshal
Sushmita
S
Department of Radiotherapy, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research, Chandigarh, India.
Dey
Pranab
P
Saikia
Uma Nahar
UN
Sharma
Suresh Chandra
SC
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53