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)
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