Differences in merlin and p53 expression as a predisposing factor in orbital meningioma

Abstract

Objectives: The behavior of orbital meningiomas is difficult to predict. The p53 tumor suppressor gene mutation and the neurofibromatosis 2 gene’s inactivation in the merlin formation are two of the several mechanisms that contribute to the development of tumors. This considers the comparison of merlin and p53 expression as an inclination to evaluate the orbital meningiomas. Materials and Methods: This investigation is an observational expository considered within the shape of cross-sectional (cross-sectional). The samples/objects of this study were 44 patients with orbital meningioma who had a clinical, radiological, and histopathological diagnosis at the anatomical pathology laboratory at Cicendo Eye Hospital and Hasan Sadikin Bandung in 2017–2020, then an immunohistochemical examination of merlin and p53 expression was performed. Results: The study indicated that there was no relationship between p53 expression and orbital meningioma grading, also there is no relationship between merlin expression and orbital meningioma grading. However, based on the analysis test results, grade 3 orbital meningiomas tended to have a positive p53 expression rather than a negative expression and tend to have a negative merlin expression instead of a positive. Conclusion: Meningiomas with negative merlin expression have a tendency to express positive p53. Likewise, the higher grade (grade 3) tends to express positive p53 and negative merlin, which may play a key role in tumorigenesis of orbital meningioma, hence, an added value for clinical information and behavioral descriptions of orbital meningioma itself.