P53 PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN SQUAMOUS CELL LUNG CANCER

In lung cancer the most frequently reported genetic abnormality is p53 gene mutation. The rate of the expression of p53 protein product in squamous cell lung cancer and its relation with the tumor stage and histologic grade of the disease were evaluated in this project. 27 squamous cell lung cancer cases (10 cases in stage IV, 9 cases in stage III B, 8 cases in other stages) were included in the study. The mean age was 62.07±11.1 (36-75). Immunocytochemical technique was used to examine the p53 protein expression. According to nuclear staining p53 protein expression was present in 15 (55.5%) cases, mild staining in 10 and heavy immunocytochemical staining in 5 of them. Ten cases (37%) were in stage IV, 9 were (33.3%) in stage III B and 8 were (29.6%) in other stages. There was no statistically significant difference in terms of p53 protein expression between stage IV patients and the others (p=0.493). Also no significant difference was found between operable and inoperable (Stage III B and IV) cases (p=0.86). Twenty cases (74%) were grade II and 7 were grade III and no significant difference existed between those two groups (p=0.703). In conclusion we found high expression of p53 protein in squamous cell lung cancer but there was no difference in terms of the tumor stage or histologic grade.

Keywords: p53, squamous cell lung cancer, stage, grade