Expression of p16 Protein and PCNA in Benign and Malignant Ameloblastoma.

Objective:To study the role of expression of p16 protein and PCNA in initiation and development in ameloblastoma, and its relation to the characteristics of clinicopathology.Methods:p16 and PCNA expression was detected immunohistochemically in ameloblastoma using SP method.10 cases of normal oral mucosa were chosen as a contral group.Results:There existed a significantly difference of p16 expression in normal oral mucosa,benign and malignant ameloblastoma( P 0.01).The proliferating indices of PCNA in malignant ameloblastoma(18.99±5.99) was significantly higher than that in benign ameloblastoma(6.59±2.97) ( P 0.01).The expression of p16 or PCNA showed a significantly difference between recurrence and primary ameloblastoma( P 0.05). It demonstrated a negtive correlation between p16 and PCNA expression( P 0.01).There was no difference of p16 and PCNA expression in sex,age,location and tumor size( P 0.05).Conclusions:p16 played an important role in initiation and development of ameloblastoma. P16 and PCNA could be a marker in differentiating benign and malignant ameloblastoma, and in evaluating the prognosis of ameloblastoma.