Comparative study of p53 protein and ki67 antigen in homogeneous and non-homogeneous leukoplakia

Leukoplakia is one of the most common premalignant or potentially malignant lesions of the oral mucosa. It’s potential for malignant transformation is unpredictable.The aim of present study was to evaluate the expression of p53 and proliferation status of ki67 antigen in normal, homogeneous and non-homogeneous leukoplakia. The standard immunohistochemistry staining method (Biotin Streptavidin peroxidase) was used to study the expression of p53 and ki67 on formalin fixed, paraffin embedded blocks of 7 cases of homogeneous leukoplakia, 10 cases of non-homogeneous leukoplakia and 9 cases of normal oral epithelium. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, MC Nemar and Fisher’s exact tests. No relationship was detected between p53 protein and Ki67 expression and clinical features of leukoplakia. The distribution patterns of p53 and ki67 were mainly localized in the basal layer of normal oral mucosa, while the expression of p53 and Ki67 were extended into suprabasal cell layer in leukoplakia lesions. Ki67 expression in dysplastic lesions was higher than non-dysplastic lesions. This study showed significant relationship between Ki67 and p53 protein. These findings showed that the expression of p53 and Ki67 in suprabasal cell layers in leukoplakia may be correlated with poor clinical outcome and alterations of p53 lead to increased cell proliferation.