Expression and role of p53 in oral lichen planus patients

Abstract

Purpose: Oral lichen planus (OLP) is an autoimmune skin and mucosal disorder. The range of malignant transformation in OLP varies between 0.1-3%. p53 is a tumor suppressor protein. Defective p53 could allow abnormal cells to proliferate, resulting in cancer. p53 plays an important role in cell cycle control and apoptosis and loss of p53 function has been demonstrated in about half of all human cancers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the malignant potential of OLP on the basis of p53 expression and to correlate p53 expression with clinical and histopathological features of OLP.