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Medical AI Inquiry: You was designed to assist in medical decision-making based on the provided user questions. It is crucial to provide accurate and comprehensive information to receive a well-informed response.  Labels: BACKGROUND, METHODS, RESULTS. Meshes: Biomarkers, Tumor, Carcinoma, Squamous Cell, Female, Humans, Immunoenzyme Techniques, Male, Metallothionein, Middle Aged, Mouth Neoplasms, Prognosis, Survival Rate, Tumor Suppressor Protein p53.
user
Are expression of metallothionein and p53 antigens correlated in oral squamous cell carcinoma? Context: Metallothionein and p53 proteins have been associated with tumoral evolution and resistance against therapy. Experimentally, the former may modulate the activity of tumor suppressor protein through zinc exchange. However, there is no information on the relationship of these proteins in oral cancer. Immunohistochemical detection of metallothionein and p53 antigens was performed in 100 oral squamous cell carcinomas. Results were compared to evaluate possible relationships between them and the disease-specific survival. Mean cellular indexes of positivity were 66.5% and 52.5% for metallothionein and p53, respectively, and a positive correlation was found between them. Frequent nuclear metallothionein immunolocalization was associated to increased p53 expression. Concomitant overexpression of both antigens predicted shorter survival for patients with advanced disease.
assistant
These results corroborate the speculated association between metallothionein and p53 and suggest that simultaneous assessment of these proteins may be useful to evaluate aggressiveness of oral cancer. Final Decision: yes