p53 gene analysis in childhood B non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

CONTEXT: Mutations or deletions in the tumor-suppressor gene p53 are among the commonest genetic changes found in human neoplasms including breast, lung and bowel cancers. In hematological malignancies, p53 is most often mutated in Burkitt's lymphoma, with p53 mutations present in 30 to 40% of tumor samples and in 70% of cell lines.

OBJECTIVE

To analyze the p53 gene alterations in child patients with B non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.

DESIGN

Descriptive study.

SETTING

Tertiary oncology care center.

PARTICIPANTS

The study investigated 12 patients with childhood B non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (Burkitt's lymphoma). Screening for p53 mutations was done by polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) analysis of exon 5 to 8/9 of the gene.

RESULTS

Abnormal polymerase chain reaction-single strand conformational polymorphism migration pattern was observed in 4 patients (33.3%), one on exon 6 and three on exon 7. Positive cases included 2 patients who died from disease.

CONCLUSION

These preliminary results suggest that p53 mutations are quite frequent in children with Burkitt's lymphoma and may play a role in lymphoma genesis or disease progression.