[Expression of p53 and Ki-67 genes in epithelial dysplasia from old oral mucosa and clinical significance].
OBJECTIVE
To elucidate the relationship between the malignant transformation of oral epithelial dysplasia and the expression of p53 and Ki-67 proteins.


METHODS
The expression of p53 and Ki-67 proteins from 60 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia (28 cases of mild epithelial dysplasia, 32 cases of severe epithelial dysplasia) and 30 normal oral mucosa tissue was determined by immunihistochemistry, and a 5-year follow-up study was made.


RESULTS
In normal epithelium, Ki-67 expression was only observed in a small number of cells, and no expression of p53 was detected. In the cases of mild epithelial dysplasia, low levels of Ki-67 and p53 expression were detected. In the cases of severe epithelial dysplasia, the expression of p53 and Ki-67 protein was significantly higher than that in the normal oral mucosa and in the mild epithelial cases (P < 0.05). There was a correlation between the malignant transformation and the mutation of p53, Ki-67 in the cases of oral epithelial dysplasia.


CONCLUSIONS
Carcinogenesis of oral mucosa is a continuous and stepwise course; p53 and Ki-67 genes may play an important role in this course.
Zhao
Jin
J
Department of Oral Medicine, West China School of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610041, China.
Guo
Bin
B
Ma
San-Cheng
SC
Zhou
Xue-Dong
XD
D000368:Aged; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000378:metabolism; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009154:Mutation; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics
D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53