Micronuclei and p53 accumulation in preneoplastic and malignant lesions of the head and neck.

No single biomarker can predict the risk for malignant transformation of precancerous lesions of the head and neck. Micronucleus frequency, nuclear p53 accumulation and mitotic index were determined in proliferating basal cells using paraffin-embedded specimens from normal, dysplastic and malignant tissues. p53 accumulation was detected by immunohistochemistry using pAb 1081 and pAb 240 antibodies.