p53, p16 and Fhit proteins expressions in chronic esophagitis and Chagas disease.
BACKGROUND
Models have suggested esophageal carcinogenesis can result from the alteration of sequences, leading to esophagitis, atrophy, dysplasia, carcinoma in situ and invasive carcinoma. While numerous genetic alterations have been reported in esophageal carcinogenesis, studies of benign lesions with precancerous potential are scarce.


METHODS
Immunohistochemistry was performed for p53, p16 and Fhit proteins in the esophageal mucosa from patients with Chagas disease (CD), chagasic megaesophagus (CM), chronic esophagitis (CE), esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and in normal mucosa (NM).


RESULTS
The proportion of p53-positive cases increased progressively according to the severity of the pathology CD (7.7%), CM (26.1%), CE (522%) and ESCC (100%). However, p16 and Fhit did not show any statistically significant differences among the groups.


CONCLUSIONS
p53 overexpression is involved in the initial steps of esophageal carcinogenesis, supporting further evaluation of its utility as a marker in precursor lesions, conversely, losses of Fhit and p16 expression may not be significant.
Bellini
Marilanda Ferreira
MF
Department of Biology, UNESP, São Paulo State University, Campus São José do Rio Preto, SP, Brazil.
Leite
Kátia Ramos Moreira
KR
Cury
Patrícia Maluf
PM
Silva
Ana Elizabete
AE
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000328:Adult; D014355:Chagas Disease / Q000378:metabolism*; D002908:Chronic Disease; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D004941:Esophagitis / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase
D017766:Acid Anhydride Hydrolases; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D000099170:Bis(5'-adenosyl)triphosphatase; C000614131:CDKN2A protein, human; C495901:TP53 protein, human