Immunohistochemical study of p53, EGF, EGF-receptor, v-erb B and ras p21 in squamous cell carcinoma of hypopharynx.

We have characterized 24 hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and 5 normal hypopharyngeal tissues by immunostaining with antibodies against epidermal growth factor (EGF), EGF-Receptor (EGFR), p53, v-erb B, and ras p21. The Avidin-Biotin Complex (ABC) technique was employed. Overexpression of p53 appeared in 17 of 24 cases of squamous cell carcinoma of the hypopharynx (normal mucosa: none, well differentiated: 60%, moderately differentiated: 71.4%, poorly differentiated: 71.4%). Some dysplastic mucosae surrounding cancer lesions showed overexpression of p53. EGF and EGFR tended to be expressed more strongly in carcinoma [EGF: 29.1% (well differentiated: 30%, moderately differentiated: 28.6%, poorly differentiated: 28.6%); EGFR: 50% (well differentiated: 60%, moderately differentiated: 42.9%, poorly differentiated: 42.9%)] than in normal mucosa (EGF: 0%, EGFR: 20%). The v-erb B stained positively in carcinoma [62.5% (well differentiated: 70%, moderately differentiated: 71.4%, poorly differentiated: 42.9%)] but negatively in normal mucosa. These data suggest that genetic mutations of p53 probably play an important role at an early stage of tumorigenesis, and that the networks of EGF, EGFR and v-erb B probably are involved in the development of hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma.