Nasopharyngeal carcinomas frequently lack the p16/MTS1 tumor suppressor protein but consistently express the retinoblastoma gene product

Margaret L. Gulley, John M. Nicholls, Barbara G. Schneider, Mahul B. Amin, Jae Y. Ro, Joseph Geradts

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

48 Scopus citations

Abstract

The p16/MTS1 gene is altered by deletion, mutation, or hypermethylation in a wide variety of human cancers. As a result of deficient p16 protein, these cancers lack a critical mechanism for halting G1/S cell cycle progression. In the current study, 59 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were evaluated for expression of the p16 rumor suppressor protein by immunohistochemical analysis of paraffin-embedded tissue. There was no detectable p16 in 38/59 cases (64%), which implies a very high rate of p16 inactivation in this type of cancer. On the other hand, the retinoblastoma gene product, which also regulates the G1 to S phase transition of the cell cycle, was consistently expressed in nasopharyngeal carcinomas by immunohistochemical analysis. These results implicate p16 inactivation but not Rb alteration in the stepwise progression of nasopharyngeal carcinogenesis.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)865-869
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Pathology
Volume152
Issue number4
StatePublished - Apr 1998

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Pathology and Forensic Medicine

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Nasopharyngeal carcinomas frequently lack the p16/MTS1 tumor suppressor protein but consistently express the retinoblastoma gene product'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this