Expression of metallothionein and p53 antigens are correlated in oral squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Metallothionein and p53 proteins have been associated with tumoral evolution and resistance against therapy. Experimentally, the former may modulate the activity of tumor suppressor protein through zinc exchange. However, there is no information on the relationship of these proteins in oral cancer.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical detection of metallothionein and p53 antigens was performed in 100 oral squamous cell carcinomas. Results were compared to evaluate possible relationships between them and the disease-specific survival.


RESULTS
Mean cellular indexes of positivity were 66.5% and 52.5% for metallothionein and p53, respectively, and a positive correlation was found between them. Frequent nuclear metallothionein immunolocalization was associated to increased p53 expression. Concomitant overexpression of both antigens predicted shorter survival for patients with advanced disease.


CONCLUSIONS
These results corroborate the speculated association between metallothionein and p53 and suggest that simultaneous assessment of these proteins may be useful to evaluate aggressiveness of oral cancer.
Department of Oral Pathology, Federal University of Minas Gerais, Av. Antônio Carlos, 6627, Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Sérgio Vitorino
SV
Cardoso
João Batista
JB
Silveira-Júnior
Vinícius
V
De Carvalho Machado
Alfredo Maurício Batista
AM
De-Paula
Adriano Mota
AM
Loyola
Maria Cássia Ferreira
MC
De Aguiar
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C495901:TP53 protein, human; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D008668:Metallothionein