Abstract: OBJECTIVE:To investigate the mechanism of MDM2 mRNA and protein expression in the development of skin scar carcinoma. METHODS:Skin scar carcinoma and pathological scar were analyzed in comparison to normal skin.Expression of MDM2 protein was detected using immunohistochemical method and MDM2 mRNA using in situ hybridization.Their differential expressions (optical density and positive area) among the three groups of tissues were detected using computerized image-analysis.All data were input into computer and analyzed statistically using SPSS (17.0) software.RESULTS:Expressions of MDM2 mRNA and protein in skin scar carcinomas were positive or strongly positive,weakly positive or positive in skin pathological scar and negative or weakly positive in normal skin tissues.Differences between any two groups were statistically significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:High expression of MDM2 mRNA and protein was significantly associated with development of skin scar carcinoma. Therefore, their expression may be useful for diagnosis of skin scar carcinoma in the earlier stages.

Key words: MDM2, skin scar, scar carcinoma, carcinogenesis