Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 17, 2026

Analysis of Cell Cycle Position in Mammalian Cells
Published on: January 21, 2012
Cell cycle regulating proteins p21 and p27 in prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinomas
Thomas Fillies1, Mike Woltering, Burkhard Brandt
1Department of Cranio-Maxillofacial Surgery, University of Münster, D-48129 Münster, and Central Army Hospital Koblenz, Germany. fillies@uni-muenster.de
Abstract:
Cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs) and cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitors (CDKIs), such as p21 and p27, exert a direct control on the cell cycle. p21 and p27 are negative regulators of cyclin-dependent kinases and in this function they are negative check-point regulators of the cell cycle. We therefore aimed to evaluate p21 and p27 expression in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSSC) to determine the value as a prognostic marker. One hundred and ninety-two patients with histologically proven, surgically treated squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity were eligible for the study and investigated for the expression of p21 and p27 by means of tissue microarrays (TMAs). Immunohistochemical screening under identical condition were carried out with antibodies against p21 and p27. Correlations between clinical features and the expression of the respective antibodies were evaluated statistically by Kaplan-Meier curves, log-rank and chi(2) tests. The expression of p21 correlated significantly with an increased prognosis in the log-rang test (p=0.01). No significant correlation was found between the expression of p27 and the overall survival rate. In multivariate Cox analysis, p27 was indicated as independent predictor of survival prognosis in the subgroup of nodal positive carcinomas, p27 positive tumours showed a significantly better survival prognosis (p=0.03). p21 and p27 in carcinoma of oral cavity seem to be predictive parameter in regulation and prognosis of squamous cell carcinomas. A p21 negative subgroup of OSCC may benefit from additional radio or radiochemotherapy.
Related Concept Videos
Negative Regulator Molecules
Inhibition of Cdk Activity
Inhibition of CDK Activity
Molecular Factors Affecting Cell Division
Several proteins function as internal regulators to ensure each cell cycle stage is completed faithfully before proceeding to the next. Regulator molecules may act directly or influence the activity or production of other...
Abnormal Proliferation
DNA Damage Can Stall the Cell Cycle