Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the 6th most common malignancy worldwide with a 5-year survival that has not improved over the last 20-25 years. Factors of prognostic significance for this tumour type include the presence of regional lymph node metastasis and amplification of chromosome 3q21-29, where the p63 gene is located. This gene encodes 6 proteins and is crucial for formation of the oral mucosa, teeth, salivary glands and skin. Each of the 6 different p63 proteins has different characteristics and functions, where some resemble the tumour suppressor protein p53, whilst others have functions that oppose p53.
METHODS: To understand the function and importance of p63 in oral mucosa and tumour development we have studied protein as well as mRNA expression in normal oral mucosa and tumours.
RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Expression of p63 proteins differs between the cell layers in normal oral mucosa, and primary HNSCC has a high expression level of p63 isoforms normally expressed in basal cells. Data suggest that p63 expression in HNSCC influences tumour cell differentiation.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Book series | Advances in Oto-Rhino-Laryngology |
| Volume | 62 |
| Pages (from-to) | 49-57 |
| Number of pages | 9 |
| ISSN | 0065-3071 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 2005 |
Keywords
- Biopsy, Needle
- Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
- Case-Control Studies
- DNA, Neoplasm
- Female
- Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
- Head and Neck Neoplasms
- Humans
- Immunohistochemistry
- Male
- Mouth Mucosa
- Prognosis
- Reference Values
- Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
- Risk Assessment
- Sampling Studies
- Sensitivity and Specificity
- Survival Rate
- Tumor Markers, Biological
- Tumor Suppressor Protein p53