Function and importance of p63 in normal oral mucosa and squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

• BACKGROUND/AIMS: Squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (HNSCC) is the 6th most common malignancy worldwide with a 5-year survival that has not improved over the last 20-25 years. Factors of prognostic significance for this tumour type include the presence of regional lymph node metastasis and amplification of chromosome 3q21-29, where the p63 gene is located. This gene encodes 6 proteins and is crucial for formation of the oral mucosa, teeth, salivary glands and skin. Each of the 6 different p63 proteins has different characteristics and functions, where some resemble the tumour suppressor protein p53, whilst others have functions that oppose p53. METHODS: To understand the function and importance of p63 in oral mucosa and tumour development we have studied protein as well as mRNA expression in normal oral mucosa and tumours. RESULTS/CONCLUSION: Expression of p63 proteins differs between the cell layers in normal oral mucosa, and primary HNSCC has a high expression level of p63 isoforms normally expressed in basal cells. Data suggest that p63 expression in HNSCC influences tumour cell differentiation.

Nyckelord

Biopsy; Needle

Carcinoma; Squamous Cell/*genetics/mortality/*pathology

Case-Control Studies

DNA; Neoplasm/analysis

Female

Gene Expression Regulation; Neoplastic

Head and Neck Neoplasms/*genetics/mortality/*pathology

Humans

Immunohistochemistry

Male

Mouth Mucosa/pathology

Prognosis

Reference Values

Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods

Risk Assessment

Sampling Studies

Sensitivity and Specificity

Survival Rate

Tumor Markers; Biological/*metabolism

Tumor Suppressor Protein p53/genetics/*metabolism

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