Loss of the p53/p63 target PERP is an early event in oral carcinogenesis and correlates with higher rate of local relapse

Oral Surg Oral Med Oral Pathol Oral Radiol. 2013 Jan;115(1):95-103. doi: 10.1016/j.oooo.2012.10.017.

Abstract

Background: PERP is a p53/p63-regulated gene encoding a desmosomal protein that plays a critical role in cell-cell adhesion and tumor suppression.

Study design: We evaluated PERP expression in different grades of oral dysplasia (34 cases) and at different stages of invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and correlated the latter with clinical outcome. A tissue microarray consisting of nondysplastic mucosa, carcinoma in situ, SCC, and nodal metastases from 33 patients with human papilloma virus-negative SCC was stained for PERP and E-cadherin.

Results: Complete loss of PERP expression was associated with worse local control in patients with SCC. The 5-year local control rate was 91% for patients with partial PERP loss versus 31% for those with complete loss (P = .01).

Conclusions: This is the first study to show that loss of PERP expression correlates with the transition to SCC and with increased local relapse in patients with oral cavity SCC.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cadherins / metabolism
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / metabolism
  • Chi-Square Distribution
  • Female
  • Genes, Tumor Suppressor
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Middle Aged
  • Mouth Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Mouth Neoplasms / therapy
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local
  • Prognosis
  • Survival Rate
  • Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism*
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Cadherins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • PERP protein, human
  • TP63 protein, human
  • Transcription Factors
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Tumor Suppressor Proteins