MOLECULAR ASSESSMENT OF P53 ABNORMALITIES AT THE INVASIVE FRONT OF ORAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS

Background. The prognostic significance of the invasive tumor front in squamous cell carcinomas has recently bean recognized. The aim of the present study was to investigate possible molecular mechanisms underl ying the significance of this area in oral squamous cell carcinomas. M ethods. We used immunohistochemical and molecular genetic techniques t o investigate whether p53 alterations at the invasive tumor front coul d determine the aggressiveness of oral cancers. Results. p53 Overexpre ssion was detected in 52% to 56% (four different p53 antibodies) of 10 0 carcinomas studied. The concordance rate between results of immunohi stochemistry and genetic analysis was 60%. No correlation was found be tween p53 status of the tumors and clinicopathologic parameters analyz ed statistically. Conclusions. p53 Alterations have no prognostic impa ct in oral squamous cell carcinomas and apparently do not represent a molecular basis for the biologic significance of the invasive tumor fr ont. The detection of discordant p53 aberrations between primary and s econd primary carcinomas in some patients provideevidence for their in dependent origin, with possible impact on prevention and therapy. (C) 1998 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.