p53 and bcl-2 expression in locally advanced squamous cell head-neck cancer treated with platinum based chemotherapy and radiotherapy.

Abstract

The present study provides evidence that p53 nuclear accumulation may be associated with better response to DNA damaging cytotoxic agents. The association of wild type p53 loss with decreased DNA repair enzyme activity is a possible explanation. Induction platinum based chemotherapy may contribute to the selection of clonogenic cells with a radioresistant phenotype.