Antibodies in response to the cellular protein p53 in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

Background: The mutated form of the nuclear tumor suppressor protein p53 plays an important role as oncogene in the malignant transformation of cells. A new serologic parameter are antibodies against the p53 protein, that are found in many carcinoma entities and localizations and may have a prognostic relevance. Antibodies against p53 in the serum of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (SCCHN) have not yet been described. Methods: A set of 117 sera from patients with SCCHN were screened for serum antibodies against p53 with ELISA (Dianova. Hamburg). The serum of 41 healthy blood donors served as controls. Tumor tissue of 45 patients was examined with ELISA for p53 protein accumulation. Results: In 23 patients (19,7%) with SCCHN p53 antibodies were demonstrated. The control sera were all negative for p53 antibodies. No correlation was found between the presence of p53 antibodies and tumorstage, tumor grading, age or sex of the patient or tumorlocalization. Thirteen of the 15 tumor samples from p53 antibody positive patients showed detectable levels of p53 protein. Conclusions: The frequency of p53 antibodies in patients with SCCHN is comparable with the occurrence of these antibodies in other malignancies. An accumulation of p53 in the tumor tissue seems to be necessary to initiate the antibody production. p53 antibodies seem to be an indicator for malignancy in SCCHN and may be of potential diagnostic and prognostic value.