Prognostic significance of p53 and FHIT in advanced oropharyngeal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the prognostic significance of p53 and fragile histidine triad (FHIT) expression in advanced oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.


METHODS
A retrospective collection of clinical data was correlated with the protein expression.


METHODS
The expression of p53 and FHIT in specimens from patients with previously untreated advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx was determined by immunohistochemistry. The expression of p53 and FHIT was statistically correlated with survival outcome. The primary endpoints were overall survival and disease-free survival.


RESULTS
Thirty-four patients were analyzed in this study. Overexpression of p53 was observed in 41.2% (14/34) of tumors and was associated with a trend toward an improved overall survival using univariate (P =.1088, risk ratio [RR] = 0.503) and multivariate (P =.1533, RR = 0.470) analyses. Marked reduction or complete absence of FHIT expression was observed in 57.6% (19/33) of tumors. Patients with tumors showing no reduction in FHIT expression had a lower overall survival using univariate (P =.04, RR = 2.27) and multivariate (P =.013, RR = 4.41) analyses.


CONCLUSIONS
Overexpression of p53 predicted a trend toward an improved prognosis, whereas no reduction in FHIT expression predicted a significantly poorer outcome in patients with advanced oropharyngeal cancer.
Otero-Garcia
Jose E
JE
Department of Otolaryngology, Wayne State University, Detroit, MI 48201, USA.
Youssef
Emad
E
Enamorado
Ileana I
II
Du
Wei
W
Yoo
George H
GH
Merati
Kambiz
K
Kewson
Danny
D
Lonardo
Fulvio
F
Jacobs
John R
JR
Kim
Harold
H
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis / Q000235:genetics*; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase