RESUMO
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the expression of cytokeratin 8, 18, 19 with low molecular weight, which have been classified as a group of simple epithelium-related marker for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Detection of cytokeratin expression was performed by immunohistochemical study using antikeratin monoclonal antibodies (CAM5.2, RCK108). Immunohistochemical study was used further to detect the presence of p53 mutation in larynx carcinoma, and PCR was performed to detect the infection of HPV. We then tried to draw relationship among these factors with regard to advanced larynx carcinoma. RESULTS: Cytokeratin 8, 18 (CAM5.2) was detected in 17 cases among the 19 advanced larynx carcinoma, and in 3 cases among the 15 normal larynx. Cytokeratin 19(RCK108) was detected in 18 cases among the advanced larynx carcinoma, and in 11 cases among the 15 normal larynx. HPV DNA was detected in 4 of the 19 cases of larynx carcinoma. With regard to subtypes of HPV, HPV 16 was detected in 2 cases. And p53 was detected in 6 out of the 19 cases of larynx carcinoma. There was no correlation among the cytokeratin expression, the p53 expression, and the HPV infection. CONCLUSION: This results show that cytokeratin 8, 18 (CAM5.2) expression might be a meaningful parameter in malignant change of the larynx, but the prognostic role of the cytokeratin and the role of p53 and HPV in cytokeratin expression in larynx carcinoma was not confirmed.