TP53 Mutations in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: The TP53 plays a critical role in a key pathway involving apoptosis and cell cycle control. The mutation of TP53 is one of the most common genetic alterations in cancer cells. We evaluated TP53 mutations and prognosis in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Method: A total of 60 patients with newly diagnosed squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck in our hospital from 2005 through 2009 were enrolled in this study. TP53 mutations were analyzed using direct sequencing methods for exon 2 to 11. TP53 mutational status was compared with clinical outcome.

Results: Mutations were classified into 2 groups, disruptive and nondisruptive, according to the degree of disturbance of protein structure predicted from the crystal structure. Of the 60 tumors, 38 (63.3%) harbored a TP53 mutation including 17 (28.3%) disruptive mutations. While 75.0% of cases with wild type are alive without recurrence, only 25.0% of disruptive mutation cases are with no recurrence. In addition, the presence of disruptive TP53 mutation was associated with poor prognosis as compared with wild type TP53.

Conclusion: Disruptive TP53 mutations in tumor DNA are associated with poor prognosis and TP53 mutational status is considered to be useful as a molecular biomarker for personalized treatment in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.