The Aberrant Expression of p53 Protein in Liver Cell Carcinoma

ABSTRACT

This study was carried out to evaluate the aberrant expression of p53 protein using immunobistochemical method in 54 surgically resected liver cell carcinomas and to correlate it with clinical and pathological findings. Twenty five out of 54 cases(46%) showed positive reaction in the nucleus of liver cell carcinoma and negative reaction in associated 30 cases of cirrhosis, one case of adenoma and two cases of adenomatous hyperplasia. The p53 protein expression was associated with alpha-FP level(p<0.05), but not associated with HBsAg positivity. It was significantly associated with WHO classification, Edmondson-Steiner grade and nuclear grade p53(p<0.05), but not associated with tumor size, capsule formation, portal vein invasion, cirrhosis in surrounding tissue, Eggel classification, special cell type and mitosis. In conclusion, our results suggest that the aberrant expression of p53 protein can be an advisory factor, at least, for prognosis evaluation.