Value of p53 sequencing in the prognostication of head and neck cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis

This review aimed to examine the relationship between TP53 mutational status, as determined by genomic sequencing, and survival in squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. The databases Medline, Embase, Web of Science (core collection), Scopus and Cochrane Library were searched from inception to April 2021 for studies assessing P53 status and survival. Qualitative analysis was carried out using the REMARK criteria. A meta-analyses was performed and statistical analysis was carried out to test the stability and reliability of results. Twenty-five studies met the inclusion criteria, of which fifteen provided enough data for quantitative evaluation. TP53 mutation was associated with worse overall survival (HR 1.75 [95% CI 1.45-2.10], p < 0.001), disease-specific survival (HR 4.23 [95% CI 1.19-15.06], p = 0.03), and disease-free survival (HR 1.80 [95% CI 1.28-2.53], p < 0.001). Qualitative assessment identified room for improvement and the pooled analysis of all anatomical subsites leads to heterogeneity that may erode the validity of the observed overall effect and its subsequent extrapolation and application to individual patients. Our systematic review and meta-analysis supports the utility of TP53 mutational as a prognostic factor for survival in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. A well designed prospective, multi-centre trial is needed to definitively answer this question.

Genetic variability of human papillomavirus type 39 based on E6, E7 and L1 genes in Southwest China

Background

Human papillomavirus type 39 associated with genital intraepithelial neoplasia and invasive cancers, has a high prevalence in Southwest China. HPV E6, E7 are two main papillomavirus oncoproteins, closely relate to the function of HPV immortalization, cell transformation, and carcinogenesis. L1 is the major capsid protein, can reflect the replication status of the virus in cells and the progression of cervical lesions. The purpose of this study is to reveal the prevalence of HPV 39 and the genetic polymorphisms of HPV39 based on E6, E7 and L1 gene in southwest China.

Methods

Cell samples were collected by cervical scraped for HPV detecting and typing, and HPV39 positive samples were selected out. Important E6, E7 and L1 genes of HPV39 were sequenced and analyzed for the study of HPV39 genetic polymorphisms. Phylogenetic trees were constructed by Maximum-likelihood and Kimura 2-parameters methods in Molecular Evolutionary Genetics Analysis version 6.0. The selection pressures of E6, E7 and L1 genes were estimated by Datamonkey web server. The secondary and three-dimensional structure of HPV39 E6, E7 proteins were created by sopma server and SWISS-MODEL software.

Results

344 HPV39 positive samples were selected from 5718 HPV positive cell samples. Among HPV39 E6-E7 sequences, 20 single nucleotide mutations were detected, including 10 non-synonymous and 10 synonymous mutations; 26 single nucleotide mutations were detected in HPV39 L1 sequences, including 7 non-synonymous and 19 synonymous mutations respectively. 11 novel variants of HPV39 E6-E7 (5 in E6 and 6 in E7) and 14 novel variants of HPV39 L1 were identified in this study. A-branch was the most frequent HPV39 lineage in southwest China during our investigation. Selective pressure analysis showed that codon sites 26, 87, 151 in E6 and 75, 180, 222, 272, 284, 346, 356 in L1 were positively selected sites, as well as codon sites 45, 138, 309, 381 were negative selection sites in L1 gene, E7 has neither positive selection sites nor negative selection sites. A certain degree of secondary and three-dimensional structure dislocation was existed due to the non-synonymous mutations.

Conclusions

Amino acid substitution affected the secondary and three-dimensional structure of HPV39, and resulting in the differences of carcinogenic potential and biological functions as well as the immune response due to the antigen epitopes difference, the antigen epitopes with stronger adaptability in Southwest will be screened out based on the above research results for the later vaccine development. And gene polymorphism of HPV39 in Southwest China may improve the effectiveness of clinical test and vaccine design, specifically for women in Southwest China.

Cytogenetic significance of chromosome 17 aberrations and P53 gene mutations as prognostic markers in oral squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Cytogenetic analysis has detected an accumulation of genetic lesions in oral cancers. Numerical changes in chromosome 17 might be associated with an up-regulation of p53 gene, and could contribute to critical events in carcinogenesis. The aim of this study was to reveal possible correlations between the numerical aberrations of chromosome 17, deletion or amplification of the P53 gene and histological grading in patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC).

METHODS

This study was performed retrospectively on anonymous forty paraffin embedded specimens diagnosed with a primary OSCC. Sections were prepared for p53 immunohistochemical staining and FISH technique evaluation.

RESULTS

All studied cases showed a positive nuclear staining with different indices for the p53 protein. Furthermore, statistical analysis showed a significant difference between all histological types of OSCC. In term of P53 immunoreactivity well differentiated OSCC showed the highest, whereas poorly differentiated showed weakest. Regarding chromosome 17 aberrations and p53 gene mutations, Spearman correlation test revealed a statistical significant positive correlation between chromosome 17 abnormalities and p53 gene mutations as well as with the immunohistochemical expression of p53 proteins. Moreover, the positive association between p53 gene mutations and the expression of p53 protein was statistically significant.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the previous findings, we concluded that numerical aberrations of chromosome 17 and p53 gene mutations as well as expression of p53 protein have enormous influence on various cellular processes including differentiation and carcinogenesis. Such knowledge provides an easy and simplified approach to prognosis predilection for OSCC.

VIRTUAL SLIDES

The virtual slide(s) for this article can be found here: http://www.diagnosticpathology.diagnomx.eu/vs/13000_2015_232 .

TP53 Mutations in Breast Cancer: Association with Ductal Histology and Early Relapse of Disease

Purpose

This study aimed to investigate the incidence of core domain TP53 mutations in Serbian breast cancer patients in view of their possible correlation with prognostic parameters, tumor characteristics and clinical disease course.

Methods

145 breast cancer patients were included. Data on clinical disease course were available for 100 patients including 30 node-negative and 70 node-positive patients. After surgery, node-positive patients underwent adjuvant chemotherapy, mostly CMF. TP53 mutations were detected by PCR-SSCP.

Results

31 mutations were found in 27/145 patients including 4/59 node-negative patients and 23/83 node-positive patients (4 double mutations). 26/31 TP53 mutations were found in patients with invasive ductal carcinoma and only 2 in patients with invasive lobular carcinoma. The presence of TP53 mutations was correlated with clinical disease course in premenopausal node-positive patients (n=70). 11/20 patients with TP53 mutations relapsed. Within the first 24 months of follow-up, significantly shorter disease-free intervals were observed in TP5. 3-mutated patients.

Conclusions

TP53 mutations correlated only with nodal status and ductal histology. The significance of the predominant distribution of TP53 mutations in tumors with a ductal histology for the aggressive behavior of these tumors has yet to be proved, since the favorable biological features of tumors with a lobular histology do not result in a better prognosis. Early relapse in mutated- TP5. 3 carriers may support data on its predictive value with respect to adjuvant CMF.