p63

p63 is a member of the p53 gene family. The gene is located on chromosome 3q27-29. It encodes at least six different transcripts with transactivation (TAp63) or negative effects (DNp63) on the p53 reporter genes, resulting in tumour suppressor and oncogenic effects respectively6. The DNp63 isoforms lack the N-terminal transactivation domain and inhibit p538. During embryogenesis, it is essential for the development of several epithelia. Human germline mutations result in limb mammary syndrome (ectrodactily, ectodermal dysplasia and facial clefts) with hypoplasia/aplasia of the breasts. p63(-/-) mice do not develop a prostate3.

It appears to be a sensitive and specific marker of myoepithelial cells. It is superior to SMA and calponin, in that myofibroblastic cells are negative.

 

Immunohistochemical expression

Immunoreactivity is nuclear.

In normal tissues, expression was restricted to epithelial cells of stratified epithelia, such as skin, esophagus, exocervix, tonsil, and bladder, and to certain subpopulations of basal cells in glandular structures of prostate and breast, as well as in bronchi4. In keratinocytes, the expresed isoform is DNp63, which presumably maintains epithelial cell proliferation8.

Carcinomas: p63 is expressed predominantly in basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas, as well as transitional cell carcinomas, but not in adenocarcinomas, including those of breast and prostate8. Thymomas expressed high levels of p634.

 

Squamous cell carcinoma

59/735, 25/279

 

Urothelial carcinoma

14/205

Non-squamous carcinomas

20/1415, 1/39

Adenocarcinoma

4/299, 1/699, 5/459

Malignant mesothelioma

0/145

   

 

A subset of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma express p634.

 

Breast tissue:

 

ductal carcinoma in situ

0/19

 

invasive ductal carcinoma

6/599

invasive lobular carcinoma

0/89

   

 

Prostate shows similar staining of glandular basal cells to that seen in the breast.

 

p63

34ßE12

benign needle biopsies

108/1082

108/1082

benign TURPs

a mean of 95% of basal cells stained: 2 of 12 cases showed a lack of staining in more than 2 benign glands.2

a mean of 75% of basal cells stained: 12 of 12 cases showed a lack of staining in of more than 2 benign glands.2

equivocal lesions, 25 needle biopsies and 2 TURPs

10 cases positive for both; interpreted as benign2

1 case remained unresolved2

16 cases negative for both: interpreted as malignant2

unequivocal carcinoma

0/512, 0/699

0/512

 

Diagnostic utility

References

1Barbareschi, M., Pecciarini, L., Cangi, M. G., Macri, E., Rizzo, A., Viale, G., Doglioni, C. p63, a p53 homologue, is a selective nuclear marker of myoepithelial cells of the human breast. Am J Surg Pathol 2001;25:1054-1060.

2Shah, R. B., M. Zhou, et al. (2002). "Comparison of the basal cell-specific markers, 34betaE12 and p63, in the diagnosis of prostate cancer." Am J Surg Pathol 26(9): 1161-8.

3Signoretti, S., D. Waltregny, et al. (2000). "p63 is a prostate basal cell marker and is required for prostate development." Am J Pathol 157(6): 1769-75.

4Di Como, C. J., M. J. Urist, et al. (2002). "p63 expression profiles in human normal and tumor tissues." Clin Cancer Res 8(2): 494-501.

5Kaufmann, O., E. Fietze, et al. (2001). "Value of p63 and cytokeratin 5/6 as immunohistochemical markers for the differential diagnosis of poorly differentiated and undifferentiated carcinomas." Am J Clin Pathol 116(6): 823-30.

6Shih Ie, M. and R. J. Kurman (2004). "p63 expression is useful in the distinction of epithelioid trophoblastic and placental site trophoblastic tumors by profiling trophoblastic subpopulations." Am J Surg Pathol 28(9): 1177-83.

7Koker, M. M. and C. G. Kleer (2004). "p63 expression in breast cancer: a highly sensitive and specific marker of metaplastic carcinoma." Am J Surg Pathol 28(11): 1506-12.

8Ivan D, Hafeez Diwan A,Prieto VG Expression of p63 in primary cutaneous adnexal neoplasms and adenocarcinoma metastatic to the skin. Mod Pathol 2005; 18:137-42

9Reis-Filho JS, Simpson PT, Martins A, Preto A, Gartner F,Schmitt FC Distribution of p63, cytokeratins 5/6 and cytokeratin 14 in 51 normal and 400 neoplastic human tissue samples using TARP-4 multi-tumor tissue microarray. Virchows Arch 2003; 443:122-32 This study used tissue microarrays.

10 Hammed O, Humphrey PA. Immunohistochemistry in the diagnosis of minimal prostate cancer. Current Diagnostic Pathology 2006;12:279-291.

This page last revised 23.9.2006.

©SMUHT/PW Bishop