A new prognostic indicator for head and neck cancer - p53 serum antibodies?

Background: p53 antibodies ale a new serological parameter of unknown potential in patients with malignancies. Their occurrence has been described in various types of cancer patients and several studies in head and neck cancer,patients and other cancer patient groups have indicated its prognostic value. Material and methods: We investigated the incidence of p53 serum antibodies in 271 head and neck cancer patients with art ELISA and investigated a possible correlation with clinical parameters like tumor staging and grading. Results: Sixty-seven head and neck cancer patients (24.7%) were seropositive for p53 antibodies. No correlation between p53 antibody status, tumor staging and grading was found. Conclusions: These results indicate that the occurrence of p53 antibodies does not correlate with the most relevant prognostic factors, rate of regional metastasis and primary tumor size, in patients with head and neck cancer.