Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), the most common oral neoplasm of cats, demonstrates aggressive local invasion and has a poor prognosis. In humans, mutation of the p53 gene, crucial in cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis in damaged cells, is common in neoplasms. Survivin, an inhibitor of apoptosis, is frequently overexpressed in many types of human cancer. Studies suggest that wild-type p53 inhibits survivin expression, while mutated p53 does not. The purposes of this study included immunohistochemical examination of survivin and p53 expression in feline oral SCC and determination of a correlation between p53 mutation and survivin overexpression, as well as comparison with survival time. Survivin expression was noted in 80% (24/30) of cases, while 43.3% (13/30) of cases were positive for p53. No statistically significant correlation was noted between p53 and survivin expression, even when corrected for age, breed, and sex; and survival time was not affected.

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