Relationship between P~(16) and Rb Protein Expression in Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Objective To determine the relationship between p16 and Rb protein expression and the pathogensis and development of primary esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) in order to study the correlation between p 16 and Rb proteins.Methods 102 cases of ESCC were examined for p 16 and Rb protein expression by sp immunohistochemical method.Results p 16 and Rb protein ere expressed in all low grade (WHO Grade Ⅰand Ⅱ) ESCC but only in 481% and 574% ESCC of Grade Ⅲ and Grade Ⅳ respectively,in which 24/31 of Rb protein positive tumors showed null or low express of p16 protein,while 19/23 of Rb negative tumors were associated with positive or high level expression of p 16 protein. Conclusions The loss of p 16 protein express and the Rb protein express may play an important role in the pathogenesis of ESCC.Negatively correlated expression of p 16 and Rb protein may be one of characteristics of ESCC.