Assessment and comparison of p53 and p63 expression in oral epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Aim: p53 and p63 are the important genes associated with oral cancer. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare the immunohistochemical expression of p53 and p63 in oral epithelial dysplasia and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemical expression of p53 and p63 was graded in total of 60 archival cases, which included 30 cases of oral epithelial dysplasia (10 cases each of mild, moderate, and severe dysplasia) and 30 cases of oral SCC (10 cases each of well-differentiated, moderately differentiated, and poorly differentiated SCC). Results: Our study showed statistical significant difference on comparison of p53 and p63 expression in oral epithelial dysplasia. In oral SCC cases, p53 and p63 did not show significant correlation in expression. Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a progression in expression of p53 and p63 along the grades of oral epithelial dysplasia to SCC, suggesting their role in stages of carcinogenesis. However, p53 and p63 may have independent role in oral tumorigenesis.