Detection of p53, Bax, Rb, p16 and Human Papillomavirus DNA in Betel Quid Associated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Myanmar

Abstract

Chronic betel quid chewing has a strong correlation with oral cancer. In order to examine relationship of p53 and p16, and the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), we studied p53, Bax, p16^INK4a, Rb and HPV prevalence using forty-seven cases of betel quid associated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Myanmar. HPV was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using primers MY09 / MY11 and L1C1 / L1C2 and L1C2m. Immunohistochemically, 59.6% were p53-positive and Bax-negative, and 68.0% were p16^INK4a-negative and Rb-positive. HPV DNA was detected in only 14.9% of all OSCCs. The expression of p53/Bax relation (P<0.01) and p16^INK4a/Rb relation (P<0.001) were found in betel quid associated OSCCs when compared with normal mucosa. Therefore, betel quid plays a critical role in oral carcinogenesis in Myanmar.