ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the expression of p16 and nm23 genes in salivary gland tumors and the relation of P16 and nm23 proteins with fumorigenesis of salivary gland tumors.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Expression of P16 and nm23 proteins was examined by SABC immunohistochemical method in 39 cases of paraffin blocks of normal salivary gland tissues and salivary gland tumors.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>P16 and nm23 protein positive staining were mainly found in the cytoplasm and cytoblast of all salivary gland tissues. Positive rate of P16 protein expression was 76.9% (10/13) and 40.9% (9/22) in benign and malignant salivary gland tumors, respectively. There was significant difference between P16 protein expression of benign and malignant tumors by chi 2 test (P < 0.05). mm23 protein positive staining was found in 84.6% (11/13) and 45.5% (10/22) of benign and malignant tumors respectively. The expression of nm23 protein in benign and malignant tumors was significantly different (P < 0.05). There was no correlation of the expression of P16 and nm23 in salivary gland tumors was found (P > 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>p16 and nm23 genes may play an important role in different sides in salivary gland tumorigenesis and the reduce of the expression of p16 and nm23 genes may contribute to the generation of malignant salivary gland tumors.</p>