Expression of deltaNp63 in squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
BACKGROUND
The p63 gene is present as two isoforms, namely TAp63 and deltaNp63. The biological role of deltaNp63 in the progression of esophageal cancer is still controversial.


METHODS
The expression of deltaNp63, as well as that of p63, was immunohistochemically examined in 61 resected specimens of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.


RESULTS
The incidences of a positive deltaNp63 expression were 32 and 64% in carcinomas with and without adventitial invasion, respectively, and 37 and 65% in those with and without lymph node metastasis, respectively (p<0.05). The prognosis was significantly better in the positive deltaNp63 group than in the negative group (p<0.01). However, a multivariate analysis revealed deltaNp63 not to be an independent prognostic factor. Regarding p63, diminished expression was more frequently observed in advanced carcinomas, however, there were no statistically significant differences.


CONCLUSIONS
The impaired deltaNp63 reflects the progression of squamous cell carcinoma of the esophagus.
Morita
Masaru
M
Second Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, University of Occupational and Environmental Health, Kitakyushu, 807-8555, Japan. m-morita@med.uoeh-u.ac.jp
Uramoto
Hidetaka
H
Nakata
Shoji
S
Ono
Kenji
K
Sugaya
Masakazu
M
Yoshimatsu
Takashi
T
Oyama
Tsunehiro
T
Hanagiri
Takeshi
T
Sugio
Kenji
K
Yasumoto
Kosei
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D018450:Disease Progression; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D016147:Genes, Tumor Suppressor; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010750:Phosphoproteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011379:Prognosis; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins
D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D010750:Phosphoproteins; C115051:TP63 protein, human; D015534:Trans-Activators; D014157:Transcription Factors; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins