p53 Alterations in Recurrent Head and Neck Cancer
Author Information
Author(s): Ganly I, Soutar D S, Brown R, Kaye S B
Primary Institution: Dept of Head and Neck Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Canniesburn Hospital
Hypothesis
The study aims to determine the incidence of p53 alterations in recurrent squamous cell cancer of the head and neck that is refractory to radiotherapy.
Conclusion
The study found a very high incidence of p53 inactivation in recurrent head and neck cancer, which may contribute to poor treatment responses.
Supporting Evidence
- Fifteen (68%) of the 22 tumors studied had p53 mutations.
- HPV DNA was detected in 8 (36%) tumors, all of serotype HPV 16.
- Mdm2 overexpression was detected in 11 (50%) tumors.
- Overall, 21 of the 22 tumors had p53 alterations.
- The overall incidence of p53 inactivation was very high at 95%.
- New therapies that act independently of p53 or restore its function may be beneficial.
Takeaway
The study looked at tumors from patients with head and neck cancer that didn't respond to radiation and found that most had problems with a gene called p53, which might explain why the treatments didn't work well.
Methodology
The p53 status was analyzed by sequencing and immunohistochemistry, while HPV infection was assessed by PCR.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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