C. Ferrandiz et al., P53 immunohistochemical expression in early posttransplant-associated malignant and premalignant cutaneous lesions, DERM SURG, 25(2), 1999, pp. 97-100
BACKGROUND. Current evidence suggests that p53 accumulation is critical to
the development of skin cancer in the general population. it is possible, h
owever, that the molecular steps involved in transplant-associated and non-
transplant-associated skin carcinogenesis may differ.
OBJECTIVE. Our purpose was to examine p53 expression in premalignant and ma
lignant skin lesions from renal transplant recipients (RTRs) in their first
3 years of immunosuppression, as well as in equivalent lesions from immuno
competent normal individuals. METHODS, p53 expression was examined by routi
ne immunohistochemical methods using the anti-p53 monoclonal antibody DO7.
RESULTS. p53 immunoreactivity was more prevalent in dysplastic epidermal ke
ratoses and cutaneous carcinomas from RTRs than in equivalent lesions from
nontransplant controls. Statistical analysis revealed significant differenc
es, however, only in premalignant skin lesions (p = 0.03).
CONCLUSION. This Study demonstrates that accumulation of p53 protein is fre
quently encountered in both premalignant and malignant skin lesions of RTRs
, and that this may occur as an early step in transplant-associated skin ca
rcinogenesis.