ABSTRACT
Mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene is the most common genetic alteration in colorectal cancer, and detection of p53 antibodies in serum might be an effective indirect procedure to detect alterations of the p53 gene. This study aimed to detect the presence of p53 antibodies in patient with colorectal cancer, and to study the association between this antibodies and tumor stage, tumor location, gender, age and smoking. We analyzed serum for p53 antibody using Enzyme linked Immune-adsorbent assay in 57 patients of colorectal cancer and 33 patients of benign disease in gastrointestinal [Crohn's Disease, Ulcerative Colitis] and 35 healthy individuals. Eight of seventy five colorectal cancer patients were positive for p53 antibodies [14%], and p53 antibodies weren't detected in patients with benign gastrointestinal diseases, neither in healthy subjects [control group]. The difference was statistically significant [p<0.05]. We found no significant association between the frequency of anti-p53 antibodies and tumor size, tumor location, gender and smoking. However sero-positive patients were older than sero-negative patients. P53 antibodies are a specific tumor marker of colorectal cancer, and there is no association between the frequency of anti p53 antibodies and tumor size, tumor location, gender and smoking