The clinicopathological roles of alpha-B-crystallin and p53 expression in patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

AIMS: The aim of the study was to investigate the expression of alpha-B-crystallin and p53 in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). METHODS: Alpha-B-crystallin and p53 expressions from 118 HNSCC were studied by immunohistochemistry and correlated with clinicopathological parameters. RESULTS: Alpha-B-crystallin expression was seen in 28% (n = 33) of HNSCC. All except one poorly differentiated HNSCC were negative for alpha-B-crystallin. p53 expression was seen in 63% (n = 73) of HNSCC and was more common in moderately/poorly differentiated HNSCC (p = 0.034). The proportion of cases with positive staining for either alpha-B-crystallin or p53 was different in different anatomical locations in the head and neck. Patients with HNSCC having a high portion of tumour cells expressing p53 had a shorter survival than the other groups (p = 0.032). CONCLUSION: The expression of p53 and alpha-B-crystallin were related to the differentiation and site of the HNSCC. Alpha-B-crystallin was not a prognostic marker for HNSCC.