[Detection of p53 protein in advanced head and neck cancer]

P53 protein expression, synonymous to p53 gene mutation, is a common event in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). However, the correlation between p53 expression and clinico-pathologic parameters remains unclear. Primary tumors for analysis were obtained from 99 patients with HNSCC. The expression of p53 was analyzed with monoclonal D07 antibody (Dako Corp., Glostrup, Denmark). Seventy five percent of 79 valid cases expressed the protein. A correlation was found between alcohol intake and p53 expression. None of the other clinico-pathologic factors were associated to p53 expression. Our results suggest that p53 may be involved in the development of HNSCC. However its clinical significance is still not completely understood.