Estrogen and progesterone receptor and p53 gene expression in adenoid cystic cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The current study examined the role of estrogen receptors (ER), progesterone receptors (PR) and p53 expression in adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) to determine if simple expression or possible overexpression of these products might influence the development and natural course of this cancer.


METHODS
ER and PR status and p53 overexpression were retrospectively evaluated utilizing immunohistochemical evaluation of 47 ACC specimens.


METHODS
Formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from 47 ACC specimens and 47 samples of normal salivary gland tissue were evaluated histochemically for the presence of ER, PR and p53. Immunoreactivity was scored using a 0 to +3 scale in which staining was either (0) negative, (+1) spotty, (+2) weakly positive, or (+3) strongly positive.


RESULTS
ER was expressed in 8 of 47 tumors while PR was expressed in 4 of 47 tumors. p53 aberrations were demonstrated in 26 of 47 tumors. Tumors showed varying degrees of immunopositivity ranging from 0 to +3.


CONCLUSIONS
These studies suggest that p53 aberrations may be involved in ACC tumor progression and that ER and PR may play a role in ACC development.
Barrera
Jose E
JE
Department of Otolaryngology, Stanford University, School of Medicine, 801 Welch Road, Stanford, CA 94305, USA. jebarrera@yahoo.com
Shroyer
Kenneth R
KR
Said
Sherif
S
Hoernig
George
G
Melrose
Raymond
R
Freedman
Paul D
PD
Wright
Tanya A
TA
Greer
Robert O
RO
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003528:Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Q000502:physiology*; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000378:metabolism*; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone / Q000378:metabolism*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D012469:Salivary Glands / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D055815:Young Adult
D011960:Receptors, Estrogen; D011980:Receptors, Progesterone