The p53 molecule and its prognostic role in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

TY - JOUR

T1 - The p53 molecule and its prognostic role in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck

AU - Nylander, K

AU - Dabelsteen, Erik

AU - Hall, P A

PY - 2000

Y1 - 2000

N2 - Despite intense research, the 5-year survival rate for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is still low. Several different factors have been studied in the search for one or more factors that give important prognostic information at the time of diagnosis. Many recent studies have focused on the TP53 tumour suppressor gene, analysing its gene status and protein status. When looking at p53 protein expression, using immunohistochemistry, no correlation to patient outcome has been seen for the whole group of SCCHN. However, a significant association between p53 expression and poor patient outcome was found when looking only at patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Also, in oral premalignant lesions, expression of p53-positive cells in the suprabasal layers of the epithelium has been seen as an indication of impending malignant development. Concerning the prognostic significance of mutations in the TP53 gene, results differ. But when restricting analysis to tumours with mutations causing an obvious change in protein, TP53 mutation was found to be a strong and independent variable for prognosticating survival. This review article gives an up-to-date overview of the p53 molecule and evaluates its possible prognostic role in SCCHN. Today it is clear that the p53 pathway is very important in SCCHN biology and potentially in its treatment. The function and importance of a few other cell cycle proteins connected to p53 are also discussed.

AB - Despite intense research, the 5-year survival rate for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) is still low. Several different factors have been studied in the search for one or more factors that give important prognostic information at the time of diagnosis. Many recent studies have focused on the TP53 tumour suppressor gene, analysing its gene status and protein status. When looking at p53 protein expression, using immunohistochemistry, no correlation to patient outcome has been seen for the whole group of SCCHN. However, a significant association between p53 expression and poor patient outcome was found when looking only at patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinomas. Also, in oral premalignant lesions, expression of p53-positive cells in the suprabasal layers of the epithelium has been seen as an indication of impending malignant development. Concerning the prognostic significance of mutations in the TP53 gene, results differ. But when restricting analysis to tumours with mutations causing an obvious change in protein, TP53 mutation was found to be a strong and independent variable for prognosticating survival. This review article gives an up-to-date overview of the p53 molecule and evaluates its possible prognostic role in SCCHN. Today it is clear that the p53 pathway is very important in SCCHN biology and potentially in its treatment. The function and importance of a few other cell cycle proteins connected to p53 are also discussed.

KW - Carcinoma, Squamous Cell

KW - Cyclin-Dependent Kinases

KW - DNA-Binding Proteins

KW - Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic

KW - Genes, Tumor Suppressor

KW - Genes, p53

KW - Genetic Therapy

KW - Head and Neck Neoplasms

KW - Humans

KW - Laryngeal Neoplasms

KW - Membrane Proteins

KW - Mouth Neoplasms

KW - Mutation

KW - Nuclear Proteins

KW - Phosphoproteins

KW - Prognosis

KW - Proto-Oncogene Proteins

KW - Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-mdm2

KW - Retinoblastoma Protein

KW - Trans-Activators

KW - Transcription Factors

KW - Tumor Markers, Biological

KW - Tumor Suppressor Protein p53

KW - Tumor Suppressor Proteins

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 11016683

SN - 0904-2512

VL - 29

SP - 413

EP - 425

JO - Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine

JF - Journal of Oral Pathology & Medicine

IS - 9

ER -