P53 Expression in Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma in Increased in HPV Positive Smokers

Our study brings strong evidence that p53 is increased in p16/HPV positive patients who are active smokers. The level of p53 expression is intermediary between p16 positive nonsmokers and p16 negative smokers. This difference may contribute to the previously described negative effect that smoking has on response to treatment and prognosis in HPV positive smokers. Figure 1: Immunohistochemistry stain for p53 in OSCC (high expression), 200x Figure 2: Immunohistochemistry stain for p53 in OSCC (low expression), 200x