Immunohistochemical detection of p53 protein in ameloblastoma types

Abstract

Overexpression of p53 protein in unicystic ameloblastoma [uAB]is denser than in the conventional ameloblastoma [cAB]type, indicating increased wild type p53 – suppressing the growth potential of uAB and denoting the early event of neoplastic transformation, probably of a previous odontogenic cyst. Overexpression of p53 in borderline cAB and malignant ameloblastoma [mAB]types might reflect a mutational p53 protein playing an oncogenic role, promoting tumour growth. Overexpression of p53 protein could be a valid screening method for predicting underlying malignant genetic changes in AB types, through increased frequency of immunoreactive cells or increased staining density