p53 protein expression in esophageal squamous cell papillomas: a study of 36 lesions.

BACKGROUND AND METHODS

In the present study 36 esophageal squamous cell papillomas (ESCP), uncommon benign neoplasms of the esophagus, were investigated retrospectively for p53 immunoreactivity by using the monoclonal antibody PAb 1801. Two ESCPs had previously been found to be human papillomavirus (HPV) type-6-positive.

RESULTS

Only very occasional epithelial cells were stained in two cases, and in three ESCPs p53 staining was restricted to the basal epithelial cells. Both HPV-positive ESCPs remained p53-negative.

CONCLUSION

We speculate that these findings are the result of immunohistochemical detection of the stabilized wild-type p53 protein rather then mutated p53 protein.