immunohistochemistry analysis of p53 and ki-67 proteins in oral lichen planus and normal oral mucosa

background: oral lichen planus (olp) is a relatively common chronic inflammatory muco-cutaneous disease classified among the potentially malignant lesions of oral mucosa. in this study we evaluated tissue expression of p 53 ، ki-67 in olp com­pared to normal oral mucosa. methods: specimens (formalin-fixed and paraffin- embedded) of 44 lesions of olp and 30 controls referred to immuno­histochem­istry (ihc) analysis for p 53 and ki-67. results of immunohistochemistry were statistically evaluated by means of kolmogorov- smirnov, kruskal- wallis and t -test. the level of statistical significance was established at p < 0.05. results : this study included 44 patients with olp (27 females and 17 males) and 30 subjects as control group (18 females and 12 males).the mean expression of p 53 in patients with olp was greater than subjects in control group. the mean expres­sion of ki- 67 in patients with olp was more than people in control group. these differences were statistically signifi­cant ( p = 0.001). conclusion: since p 53 and ki-67 extensively accepted as important biomarkers in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of malig­nant and premalignant lesions, therefore high degree of presence of these biomarkers in chronic premalignant lesion like olp can be a great helpful in its prognosis and suggested treatments.