p53 expression in anaplastic carcinomas arising from thyroid papillary carcinomas

Abstract

Aim - To study the expression of p53 tumour suppressor gene in anaplastic carcinomas arising from thyroid papillary carcinomas. Methods - Formalin fixed, paraffin wax embedded tissues from four cases of anaplastic carcinomas associated with thyroid papillary carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemistry with two different p53 monoclonal antibodies. Results - The anaplastic component showed nuclear immunostaining in two cases, but not in the other two. In all cases the papillary carcinoma component was negative. Conclusion - The results support the hypothesis that p53 stimulates tumour progression in thyroid tumours.