Human papillomavirus and p53 protein immunoreactivity in condylomata acuminatum and squamous cell carcinoma of penis

Aim: To determine the immunoreactive pattern of human papillomavirus (HPV) antigen and p53 protein in condylo-mata acuminatum (CA) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of penis. Methods: Immunohistochemistry for HPVand p53 were performed in 40 specimens of formalin fixed, paraffin embedded tissues using a polyclonal (rabbit) anti-body against HPV and a monoclonal (mouse) antibody against human p53 protein. Twenty one cases of CA and nine-teen cases of SCC were examined. Results: HPV antigen was detected in all 21 CA and 2 penile SCC. p53 proteinoverexpression was observed in 12 of 19 (63%) SCC in which 6 cases were strong positive. Five of 21 CA (24%)showed low-grade p53 protein overexpression. Conclusion; CA is related to HPV infection and some cases showp53 protein low-grade overexpression. In contrast, p53 protein overexpression is common in penile SCC, which is sel-dom related to HPV infection. (Asian J Androl 2001 Mar; 3: 75-77)