Prognostic significance of p21(WAF1) expression in osteosarcoma / 中华病理学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of p21(WAF1) gene in human osteosarcoma and their relationships with clinicopathological parameters and prognostic value.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The p21(WAF1) gene mRNA and p21 protein expression in 45 osteosarcoma and 10 fibrous dysplasia of bone specimens were analyzed by in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry respectively.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>(1) The positive rate of p21 protein expression in osteosarcoma was 17.7% (8/45). (2) The expression rate in high proliferation (4/10) significantly higher than that in low proliferation (4/35) osteosarcoma (chi2 = 4.34, P < 0.05). (3) The positive rate of p21(WAF1) mRNA expression in osteosarcoma was 42.2% (19/45). The expression rate in high proliferation (6/10) significantly higher than that in low proliferation (13/35) osteosarcoma (chi2 = 20.6, P < 0.01). (4) The survival time after operation of the patients with p21(WAF1) mRNA expression were higher than that of the patients with p21(WAF1) mRNA negative expression (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>(1) With the increase in degree of malignancy, the expression of p21(WAF1) mRNA and p21 protein in osteosarcoma tend decrease. (2) The expression of p21(WAF1) mRNA has a definite value in judging prognosis in osteosarcoma.</p>