P53 PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS-CELL PAPILLOMAS - A STUDY OF 36 LESIONS

Background and Methods: In the present study 36 esophageal squamous ce ll papillomas (ESCP), uncommon benign neoplasms of the esophagus, were investigated retrospectively for p53 immuno-reactivity by using the m onoclonal antibody PAb 1801. Two ESCPs had previously been found to be human papillomavirus (HPV) type-6-positive. Results: Only very occasi onal epithelial cells were stained in two cases, and in three ESCPs p5 3 staining was restricted to the basal epithelial cells. Both HPV-posi tive ESCPs remained p53-negative. Conclusion: We speculate that these findings are the result of immunohistochemical detection of the stabil ized wild-type p53 protein rather then mutated p53 protein.