The Abnormal Expression of p53 Protein is a Predictive Prognostic Marker in Oral Leukoplakia

Abstract

Objectives: The p53 tumour suppresser gene has been studied as a prognostic marker of oral squamous cell carcinoma. This study was conducted to search for a p53 predictive prognostic marker in oral premalignant leukoplakia using p53 immunostaining.Patients and Methods: Oral leukoplakia with epithelial dysplasia (60 patients) and healthy oral mucosa (15 patients) were immunohistochemically stained for the p53 protein. The healthy oral mucosa were obtained from a separate group of patients.Results: Fifty percent of the leukoplakia lesions were positive for p53 protein. Among the 60 lesions, 13 developed into squamous cell carcinoma, of which 10 showed p53 positive staining even before malignant transformation.Conclusion: Overexpression of p53 protein may be a useful diagnostic procedure for oral leukoplakias that have a high probability of developing into oral squamous cell carcinoma.