p73 is over-expressed in vulval cancer principally as the Δ2 isoform
2001

p73 Over-Expression in Vulval Cancer

publication

Author Information

Author(s): O'Nions J, Brooks L A, Sullivan A, Bell A, Dunne B, Rozycka M, Reddy A, Tidy J A, Evans D, Farrell P J, Evans A, Gasco M, Gusterson B, Crook T

Primary Institution: Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, St Mary's Hospital Medical School, Norfolk Place, London, W2 1PG

Hypothesis

Is p73 over-expressed in vulval cancer, particularly as the Δ2 isoform?

Conclusion

p73 is frequently over-expressed in vulval squamous cell cancers and is mainly the Δ2 isoform.

Supporting Evidence

  • p73 was studied in squamous cancers and precursor lesions of the vulva.
  • Over-expression of p73 occurred commonly in both HPV-positive and -negative squamous cell cancers.
  • Expression in neoplastic epithelium increased with grade of neoplasia.
  • p73 Δ2 was the principal over-expressed isoform in the majority of cases of vulval SCC.
  • Over-expression of p73 was associated with expression of HPV-encoded E7 or with hypermethylation or mutation of p16INK4a in HPV-negative cases.
  • There was a close correlation between expression of p73 and p14ARF in cancers with loss of p53 function.

Takeaway

This study found that a protein called p73 is found in higher amounts in vulval cancer, especially in a specific form called Δ2.

Methodology

The study examined p73 expression in squamous cancers and precursor lesions of the vulva.

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1054/bjoc.2001.2138

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