New scoring system of IHC for p53 and high AgNOR index characterizes prognosis in SCC

A33

Aims:
 To investigate the prognostic significance of the new IHC scoring in SCC and the relationship of AgNOR proliferative index
 Materials and methods:
 On 80 randomly selected patients with T0 to T4 skin SCC and 20 SCP. Sections from formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded specimens were stained with AgNOR and immunohistochemically for p53 protein.
 Results:
 p53 expression was scored according to the new scoring criteria and correlated positively with mAgNOR and pAgNOR. IHC scores of p53 and AgNOR index were associated with grading and staging of SCC. This relationship indicated that tumors expressing high score of p53 and AgNOR index are more aggressive with poor prognosis when compared with SCP with low p53 expression and AgNOR index. Correlation between p53 expression and its scoring system revealed that it might be involved in several biologic processes including apoptosis and cell proliferation. The expression of p53 protein, particularly in combination with AgNOR index has definite prognostic value in SCC. This two-parameter, combination between p53 expression and AgNOR index revealed an enhanced prognostic potential when compared with single parameters.
 Conclusion:
 Our new method of p53 scoring is informative, reproducible and easy to perform on all types of biopsies received in any lab. It helps in differentiation, grading and staging of malignant neoplasms. It also helps to differentiate between benign and premalignant lesions of the skin and mucous membranes that sometimes creates a lot of problems on H&E sections. It will help oncologists to assess the prognosis of any malignancy and check the efficacy of their therapeutic modalities in the future.