Abstract

Alterations in the tumor-suppressor gene p53 are common in many types of human malignancies, but the potential role of p53 in the pathogenesis of cutaneous melanoma is controversial. The gene product, p53 protein, is normally present in very small amounts in noncancerous tissues. Missense mutations lead to accumulation of mutant p53 in the cells, which makes it detectable immunohistochemically in many cancers. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded sections of 14 primary invasive melanomas, 3 cutaneous melanoma metastases, and 10 predominantly intradermal melanocytic nevi were reacted with a panel of three anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) (PAb240, PAb1801, and DO7) and a mAb against Ki-67 (MIB-1), a marker of cellular proliferation. p53 was not detected in morphologically normal epidermal melanocytes or nevus cells. A single primary invasive melanoma, having a very high index of proliferation (Ki-67 expression in > 50% of cells), had diffuse nuclear labeling with all three anti-p53 mAbs used. Abnormalities of p53 expression occur rarely in cutaneous melanomas, but overexpression of p53 may occur in a subset of melanomas with a high index of proliferation.

Full Text
Paper version not known

Talk to us

Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have

Schedule a call

Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.