Immunohistochemical expression of p21 in normal tissues of salivary gland, pleomorphic adenoma and carcinoma ex pleomorphic adenoma-(undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma types).
OBJECTIVE
Our study aimed to characterize alteration in the immunohistochemical expression of p21 in normal tissue of the salivary gland surrounding pleomorphic adenoma, the tumor cells of pleomorphic adenomas, and carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenoma.


METHODS
A selected series of 29 cases of pleomorphic adenomas, and 27 cases of carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenoma (undifferentiated and adenocarcinoma types) were examined.


RESULTS
The results showed that p21 expression was negative in the most components of normal tissue of the salivary gland surrounding pleomorphic adenoma, 24 cases out of 29 of the non tumour duct cells (82.8%), and 28 (96.6%) cases out of 29 of the acinar cells shows negative p21 expression. P21 expression in pleomorphic adenomas shows that 2 cases out of 29 (6.9%) strongly expressed in the duct cells. p21 was strongly expressed in carcinoma cells in 9 (33.3%) cases out of 27.


CONCLUSIONS
Our data suggest that the strong nuclear staining as an indicator for altered p21, then the alteration of p21 expression would increase from pleomorphic adenoma to carcinoma arising in pleomorphic adenomas (6.9% versus 33.3%).
Tarakji
Bassel
B
Department of Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dentistry, Aleppo University, Aleppo, Syria. denpol@yahoo.co.uk
Nassani
Mohammad Z
MZ
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D008949:Adenoma, Pleomorphic / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D055815:Young Adult
D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21