[The expression of suppressor gene p16, p21 and p53 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the roles of p16, p21 and p53 protein expression in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).


METHODS
The SP immunohistochemical method was used to detect the expression of p16, p21 and p53 protein in 116 cases of NPC and 15 cases of non-tumour nasopharyngeal tissue.


RESULTS
1. The positive expression rates of p16, p21 and p53 protein were 64.7%, 45.7% and 90.5% in NPC respectively. There were significant differences between NPC and non-tumour group (P < 0.05). 2. The expressive rate of p16 protein was 70.6% in non-keratinizing type, 44.8% in undifferentiated type (P < 0.05). 3. The positive expression of p21 was correlated with the expression of p16 and p53.


CONCLUSIONS
Low expressions of p16 and p21 protein may play an important role in carcinogenesis of NPC, and that of p16 has some relation to cell differentiation of NPC. p16 protein may co-operate with p21 protein in development of NPC. p21 protein is probably not produced by stimulating wild-type p53 protein.
Lei
X
X
Department of ENT, Affiliated Hospital of Guilin Medical College, Guilin 541001.
Zhou
Y
Y
He
X
X
Chen
F
F
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras) / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D015689:Oncogene Protein p21(ras)