Deregulation of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes involved in apoptosis has been associated with tumor development and progression. Aim of the study is to investigate the involvement of apoptosis regulating proteins in oral verrucous carcinoma in Indian patients, primarily associated with chewing tobacco habits.
Immunohistochemical expression of Bcl-2 and p53 was examined in 30 cases of oral verrucous carcinoma.
Of the 30 cases evaluated, bcl-2 immunoreactivity was seen in 16% of cases while p53 was expressed in 70% of the cases.
The result of our study suggest that p53 plays a role in development/progression of oral verrucous carcinoma while bcl-2 by itself may have IiWe or no role.
Verrucous carcinoma, bcl-2, p53, Immunohistochemistry
