Detection of p53, Bax, Rb, p16 and Human Papillomavirus DNA in Betel Quid Associated Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Myanmar

Chronic betel quid chewing has a strong correlation with oral cancer. In order to examine relationship of p53 and p16, and the prevalence of human papillomavirus (HPV), we studied p53, Bax, p16INK4a, Rb and HPV prevalence using forty-seven cases of betel quid associated oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) in Myanmar. HPV was detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), using primers MY09 / MY11 and L1C1 / L1C2 and L1C2m. Immunohistochemically, 59.6% were p53-positive and Bax-negative, and 68.0% were p16INK4a-negative and Rb-positive. HPV DNA was detected in only 14.9% of all OSCCs. The expression of p53/Bax relation (P<0.01) and p16INK4a/Rb relation (P<0.001) were found in betel quid associated OSCCs when compared with normal mucosa. Therefore, betel quid plays a critical role in oral carcinogenesis in Myanmar.