P53-mutation in smears of oral squamous cell carcinoma

The tumor suppressor gene p53 encodes for an important cell cycle regulator y protein. Loss of the protein's function is probably important for the dev elopment of a variety of malignant diseases, including oral cancer. Up to p resent knowledge, the mutations of the p53 gene ale one of the most frequen t genetic alterations detectable in human cancer. The aim of this study was to explore the capability of molecular diagnostics to identify p53 mutatio ns (exon 5-8) in smears of the oral mucosa (polymerase chain reaction, temp erature gradient gel electrophoresis). Thirty two patients with oral squamo us cell carcinoma comprised the study. Biopsies of the tumor; smears of the ulcer, and smears of apparently healthy mucosa were collected fr om these cancel patients. Smears of 35 healthy volunteers sewed as controls. P53-mut ations were detected in 14 of the 32 cancer patients (44%). The same mutati on was also detected in the biopsy in all cases. In addition, swabs of appa rently normal mucosa harboured p53-mutated cells in 4 of these 14 patients. No mutation was found in healthy volunteers. Our investigation showed the suitability of swabs for gaining sufficient material to detect p53 gene mut ations in oral squamous cell carcinoma.