title: C-deletion in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 gene as a molecular marker for oral squamous cell carcinoma: A preliminary study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Exfoliated oral cancer cells in saliva samples from patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) can be used to determine the incidence and type of mutations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The purpose of this study was to identify C-deletion mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 gene in the saliva of OSCC patients by polymerase chain reaction (PCR).
  
  
  METHODS
  Saliva samples of 20 newly histopathologically diagnosed OSCC patients and 5 healthy volunteers were subjected to isolation of the total genomic DNA and PCR amplification for C-deletion on exon 4 of p53 gene. The resulting products were resolved by agarose gel electrophoresis, viewed and photographed on ultraviolet-transilluminator.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The relationship between the frequencies of genetic alterations was assessed by Chi-square test. Differences with values of P < 0.05 were statistically significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study concluded a 100% presence of C-deletion mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 in the saliva of OSCC patients. This study suggests that detection of mutation in exon 4 codon 63 of p53 by PCR is a fast, reliable, accurate, and sensitive molecular method for OSCC diagnosis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Index Institute of Dental Sciences, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Hemani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sukhija
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, S.R.M. Dental College and Hospital, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Rajkumar
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Krishnan
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, Sree Balaji Dental College and Hospital, Bharath University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Balachander
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, S.R.M. Dental College and Hospital, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Karthik
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Raghavendhar
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Pathology, S.R.M. Dental College and Hospital, Ramapuram, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India.
authors.forename: Ramya
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ramadoss
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacology, Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre, Indore, Madhya Pradesh, India.
authors.forename: Sukanta
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Sen
keywords: Mutation; oral cancer; oral squamous cell carcinoma; p53 C-deletion; polymerase chain reaction