p53 overexpression and mutation, chemoresistance and patient survival in oral and maxillofacial squamous carcinoma

In this study has been investigated the status of p53 in oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma and its relation to chemosensitivity and patient survival. The AA have considered 15 patients with advanced oral and maxillofacial squamous cell carcinoma (G2 grade) who received chenotherapy prior to surgery (3 cycles CDDP/5-FU: 30 mg/m2 i.v., days 2,3,4; 1000 mg/m2 i.v. continous infusion for 5 days). P53 genetic analysis was available from deparaffin histologic specimens and performed by DNA extraction and PCR (polymerase chain reaction) methods. P53 staining using polyclonal antibody was also carried out. P53 mutations from a p53-overexpressing tumor were found in 3 of 15 patients. At postchemotherapy restaging the AA found 2 progressions and 2 stable diseases. In the 12 patients with wild-type p53 were: 4 objective responses and 55% partial response (PR) in 1,60% PR in 1,65% PR in 1,70% PR in 1,75% PR in 2, and 90% PR in 2. Patient survival, with median follow-up, tended to be poor when p53 was altered (p<0.05).