Specific p53 mutations predict poor prognosis in oral squamous cell carcinoma

In this study, we focused on p53 mutations in specific regions, including DNA-binding surface regions, to clarify the correlation between mutations within the specific regions of p53 and clinical outcomes of patients with oral cancers. We analyzed p53 mutations in 121 fresh primary oral squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) by polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism or a yeast functional assay. p53 mutations were detected in 51/121 (42%) cases. Mutation of p53 was not associated with any clinicopathological parameters; however, tumors containing specific p53 mutations, e.g. DNA-binding surface regions (L2, L3 and the LSH motif) and conserved regions (II-V), had significantly poorer prognoses than tumors with mutations outside of those regions. Moreover, locoregional failure, lymph node metastasis and the occurrence of subsequent distant metastasis were also significantly associated with mutations within DNA-binding surface regions. These data indicate that specific mutations of p53 could be important prognostic factors in oral SCCs.