Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and p53 codon 72 polymorphism: a need for screening?

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Genetics
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• The association between human papillomavirus (HPV) and cancers like cervical cancer is established.
• The role of p53 gene codon 72 polymorphism, specifically the arginine form, in the risk of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) remains unclear.
• It is uncertain whether the arginine genotype is a risk factor or a tumor marker for cSCC.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the risk of developing cSCC in individuals with the p53 codon 72 arginine genotype.
• To determine if genetic screening for the p53 codon 72 arginine genotype is warranted for cSCC prevention.

Main Methods:

• A case-control study was conducted.
• Genotyping of p53 codon 72 was performed using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on DNA from peripheral blood lymphocytes.
• The study included patients with cSCC, basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and healthy controls.
• Epidermodyplasia verruciformis human papillomavirus (EV-HPV) DNA was analyzed in a subgroup.

Main Results:

• The frequency distribution of p53 codon 72 genotypes (arginine homozygote, heterozygote, proline homozygote) was similar between cSCC cases and controls.
• No statistically significant differences were observed in genotype distributions among cSCC, basal cell carcinoma, malignant melanoma, and control groups.
• Similar findings were noted in subgroups with and without EV-HPV DNA.

Conclusions:

• The p53 codon 72 arginine homozygosity is not a significant risk factor for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.
• Routine screening for this specific p53 genotype is not indicated for cSCC prevention.