Immunocytochemical studies of the expression of PCNA, Ki67 and p53 protein have been done by different groups on sporadic keratocysts (OKCs) and OKCs associated with the naevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome (NBCCS).
In conclusion, the finding of cyclin D1 and p53 overexpression in odontogenic keratocysts associated with the nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome could be considered a hallmark of a mutated cellular phenotype, thus leading to the hypothesis that their aggressive clinical behavior could be due to a dysregulation of the expression of cyclin D1 and p53 proteins, involved in a check-point control of cellular proliferation.
Ten were recurrences and five were associated with the basal-cell naevus syndrome (Gorlin-Goltz syndrome). p53 protein was found in 50% (15/30) of the odontogenic keratocysts, in 53.3% (8/15) of non-recurrent cysts, in 40% (4/10) of recurrent cysts and in 60% (3/5) of those associated with the basal-cell naevus syndrome.