title: Immunohistochemical expression of latent membrane protein 1 (LMP1) and p53 in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Moroccan experience.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant epithelial tumor intimately associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV). NPC is a characteristic tumor displaying epidemiological, genetic and regional distribution properties that makes it unique by its natural behavior.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess the expression pattern of LMP1 and p53 proteins in the different histological types of NPC in a sample of the Moroccan population and to define any association between the expression of those proteins with the sex, the age and the histological types of NPC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Archival formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded NPC biopsies were evaluated in 23 Moroccan patients for the presence of LMP1 and p53 using immunohistochemistry (IHC).
  
  
  RESULTS
  No LMP1 expression was observed whereas 8 of 23 cases (34. 7%) had detectable p53 protein in the nuclei of tumor cells. After statistical analysis according to the Fisher's exact probability test, no significant association between p53 expression and histological type, age and sex distributions was demonstrated (p>0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study confirms that p53 overexpression is present in a subset of Moroccan NPC patients. Our results are consistent with those reported by other studies concerning the same NPC endemic risk area and provide original data concerning Morocco.
authors.affiliation: Pathology Laboratory, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy of Casablanca, Morocco.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tabyaoui
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Serhier
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sahraoui
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sayd
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Cadi
authors.forename: O M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Bennani
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Benider
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Zamiati
authors.forename: Jouti N
authors.initials: JN
authors.lastname: Tahiri
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002277:Carcinoma; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009018:Morocco; D000077274:Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: C037662:EBV-associated membrane antigen, Epstein-Barr virus; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D014763:Viral Matrix Proteins
keywords: Epidemiology; Epstein-Barr virus; Immunohistochemistry; LMP1; Moroccan; Nasopharyngeal carcinoma; Risk factors; p53