Assessment of Microvessel Density and Expression of p53, Ki67 in Gastric Adenocarcinoma: Relationship to the Clinicopathological Parameters

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was a retrospective evaluation of the correlation between the MVD (microvessel density) stained by anti-CD34 monoclonal antibodies, the expressions of p53 and Ki67 in gastric adenocarcinomas. The relationship between these markers and several clinicopathological parameters, if any, were also sort. METHODS: The study was performed on 82 patients diagnosed with gastric cancer, and operated on between July, 2000 and June, 2001. No neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiation therapy was administered. Immunohistochemical staining was performed with monoclonal antibodies to CD34, p53, and Ki67 (DAKO, Copenhagen, Denmark). Independent t- and ANOVA tests were used to find any clinical correlation between the clinical parameters and MVD, from the immunohistochemical staining of the p53 and Ki67. A probability value (P value) less than 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. RESULTS: The mean values of MVD, p53 and Ki67 expressions (mean value+/-SD) were 38.5+/-15.2, 2.1+/-1.3, and 3.3+/-0.6, respectively. The maximal/minimal values were 153/4, 5/0 and 5/2. There was no apparent correlation found between the expressions of MVD, p53 and Ki67. Also, there was no correlation between the immunohistochemical staining and the clinicopathological parameters, such as age, sexual distribution, histological differentiation, N category and TNM stage. However, according to the depth of tumor invasion (T category), the MVD was found to be moreincreased in the early gastric adenocarcinomas (T1) than in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas (T2-4)(P=0.014). CONCLUSION: There was no apparent correlation between the expression of p53 and Ki67, or the clinicopathological parameters, such as age, sex, histological differentiation, T category, and N category and TNM stage. MVD was higher in the early gastric adenocarcinomas than in advanced gastric adenocarcinomas but further studies will be required to evaluate whether the MVD is a reliable prognostic factor in gastric adenocarcinomas.