Abstract
The expression on tumor suppressor gene product p53 was studied in 137 cases of malignant tumor of oral region. Using monoclonal antibody to p53 protein that was detectable on paraffin sections (BP 53-12), immunohistochemical analysis was performed. Positive staining of p53 protein of nucleus was detected in 43 of 107 cases (40.2%) of squamous cell carcinoma, 2 of 18 cases (11.1%) of adenoid cystic carcinoma, 1 of 9 cases (11.1%) of mucoepidermoid carcinoma, 1 of 2 cases (50%) of osteosarcoma, and 1 case of undifferentiated carcinoma.
These evidences suggested that abnormality of p53 protein was involved in malignant tumors of the oral region.
The positive cells were always confined to the malignant portion, whereas no expression was detectable in normal areas. In the region just adjacent to some tumors, the expression of p53 protein was distinguished from that in a peripheral normal portion with a clear border. The result suggested that the p53 detection by the immunohistochemical method was valuable for the assessment of the tumor occupied region.
