Detection of p53 gene mutations in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas using a p53 yeast functional assay: Possible difference in esophageal carcinogenesis between the young and the elderly group

A p53 yeast functional assay, which cannot only detect p53 gene mutations b ut also can assess p53 gene function, was used to screen for p53 gene dysfu nction in human esophageal squamous cell carcinomas, Surgically resected fr ozen tissues of esophageal squamous cell carcinomas from 57 patients were e xamined for p53 gene mutation. Because the mean age of the patients diagnos ed with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma was 64 years, we classified thos e who were <65 Sears of age as the Young Group and classified the others as the Elderly Group. The incidence of p53 gene mutations was 43 of 57 (75%), The incidence of p53 gene mutations observed in the Young Group was signif icantly higher than in the Elderly Group (P = 0.0007), Alcohol and smoking status did not relate to p53 gene mutation expression, Survival rate after surgery was not significantly associated with the presence of p53 gene muta tion, However, in the Young Group with p53 gene mutation, those who had nul l mutations had a significantly shorter survival than those without null mu tations (P = 0.0455). No other clinicopathological factors were associated with p53 gene mutations. Possibly, there may be a difference in esophageal carcinogenesis between the Young and the Elderly groups, because the incide nce of p53 gene mutations is different between the two groups. In the Young Group, p53 gene mutation may cause esophageal carcinogenesis, and null mut ation for p53 gene is a significant prognostic factor.