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p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression is associated with cell differentiation but not with p53 mutations in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx
Author(s) -
Nadal Alfons,
Jares Pedro,
Cazorla Maite,
Fernández Pedro L.,
Sanjuan Xavier,
Hernández Lluis,
Pinyol Magda,
Aldea Martí,
Mallofré Carme,
Muntané Jaume,
Traserra José,
Campo Elías,
Cardesa Antonio
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
the journal of pathology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.964
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1096-9896
pISSN - 0022-3417
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9896(199710)183:2<156::aid-path908>3.0.co;2-o
Subject(s) - biology , cancer research , cell , cyclin dependent kinase , cell cycle , pathology , gene expression , larynx , epithelium , tumor suppressor gene , kinase , cellular differentiation , gene , carcinogenesis , medicine , microbiology and biotechnology , genetics , anatomy
p21 WAF1/Cip1 is a recently identified gene involved in cell cycle regulation through cyclin‐CDK‐complex inhibition. The expression of this gene in several cell lines seems to be induced by wild‐type, but not mutant, p53. p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression has been studied at both mRNA and protein levels in a series of 49 normal mucosae and squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx. A significant association was found between mRNA and protein expression in tumours ( P <0·0001). p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression was strongly associated with squamous cell differentiation of carcinomas, because six of seven (86 per cent) undifferentiated carcinomas (grade 4) showed very low levels of p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression, whereas 41 out of 42 (98 per cent) carcinomas with squamous cell differentiation (grades 1–3) had normal or high levels of p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression ( P <0·0001). In addition, p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression was topologically related to the squamous differentiation of tumour cells with a distribution similar to that seen in normal squamous epithelium. No correlation was found between p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression and the global S‐phase of the carcinomas. p53 mutations (exons 5–9) were found in ten carcinomas with p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression, but no p53 mutations were detected in three p21 WAF1/Cip1 ‐negative tumours. In conclusion, p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression is frequently upregulated in squamous cell carcinomas of the larynx and is associated with tumour cell differentiation. p21 WAF1/Cip1 expression in these tumours is independent of p53 gene mutations. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.