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Reliable detection of p53 aberrations in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck requires transcript analysis of the entire coding region
Author(s) -
Hauser Ulrich,
Balz Vera,
Carey Thomas E.,
Grénman Reidar,
van Lierop Anke,
Scheckenbach Kathrin,
Bier Henning
Publication year - 2002
Publication title -
head and neck
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.012
H-Index - 127
eISSN - 1097-0347
pISSN - 1043-3074
DOI - 10.1002/hed.10128
Subject(s) - exon , cancer research , immunohistochemistry , head and neck , gene , tumor suppressor gene , biology , blot , head and neck squamous cell carcinoma , cell , epidermoid carcinoma , suppressor , p53 protein , basal cell , pathology , medicine , head and neck cancer , cancer , carcinogenesis , genetics , surgery
Background Aberrations of the p53 tumor suppressor gene are common events in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck (SCCHN). However, reported frequencies range considerably, and the predictive value of aberrant p53 is continuing to be an issue of controversy. These inconsistencies are possibly caused by methodical limitations. Methods In cell lines established from 23 SCCHN, we performed sequence analysis of p53 mRNA and genomic DNA, as well as protein detection using immunohistochemistry and Western blotting. Results Of the 23 SCCHN, 21 (91%) tumors have aberrant or no p53, including four aberrations (19%) located outside the usually examined exons 5 to 9. A second allele is present in 11, and the respective transcript in 4 tumors. Expression of protein could be detected in only 12 of the 21 p53 aberrant tumors (57%). Conclusions Depending on the methodical approach applied, a considerable number of SCCHN may be misclassified regarding their p53 status. © 2002 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 24: 868–873, 2002