Comparative study of p63 and p53 expression in tissue microarrays of malignant melanomas.

p63 is a known homologue of p53. In contrast to p53, however, p63 mutations are rarely seen in tumours. There have been several reports that p63 plays a regulatory role in the normal differentiation of cells, whereas its role in tumour biology must still be elucidated. The main aim of this study was to compare p63 and p53 expression in tissue microarrays of malignant melanomas and to establish any prognostic significance. p63 expression was found in 2 out of 59 tumours, both pT4. The p63 index did not exceed 30%. p53 expression was found in 27 out of 59 melanomas, with maximal expression in up to 80% of tumour cells. There were no correlations observed between the two markers. Multivariate analysis confirmed the prognostically independent role of p53. This study also confirmed that tissue microarrays can be used effectively for evaluation of the expression of certain tumour markers.