Prediction of recurrence in B–C stages of colorectal cancer by p53 nuclear overexpression in comparison with standard pathological features

• Published in: European journal of surgical oncology 1995-12, Vol.21 (6), p.635-639
• Main Authors: Diez, M., Enriquez, J.M., Camuñas, J., Gonzalez, A., Gutierrez, A., Mugüerza, J.M., Ruiz, A., Granell, J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adenocarcinoma - genetics; Adenocarcinoma - pathology; Biological and medical sciences; colorectal cancer; Colorectal Neoplasms - genetics; Colorectal Neoplasms - pathology; Female; Gastroenterology. Liver. Pancreas. Abdomen; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; Genes, p53 - genetics; Humans; Immunohistochemistry; Intestines - pathology; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - diagnosis; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local - genetics; p53 gene; Predictive Value of Tests; Probability; Prognosis; prognostic factors; Stomach. Duodenum. Small intestine. Colon. Rectum. Anus; suppressor gene; Tumors
• ISSN: 0748-7983; 1532-2157
• DOI: 10.1016/S0748-7983(95)95477-5

This study investigated the predictive value of p53 nuclear overexpression on recurrence of colorectal adenocarcinomas compared with established prognostic pathological features. Sixty-one paraffin-embedded sections from primary tumours were examined by immunohistochemistry. Specific nuclear staining was detected in 27 (44.2%) cases. Positivity was more frequent in tumours with venous invasion (76.9%) ( P = 0.06) and in rectal cancer (68.4%) ( P = 0.06). After a median observation time of 46 months, p53-positive tumours exhibited a higher percentage of recurrence (40.7% vs 11.7%) ( P = 0.03), and a higher likelihood of relapse at 5-year follow-up (46% vs 13%) ( P = 0.006). Among the pathological variables analysed, only the extent of bowel wall invasion showed a relationship with recurrence. After adjustment for the other covariates in a Cox's regression model, p53 overexpression was the only factor showing independent prognostic significance (hazard ratio: 4.96; 95% Confidence Interval (CI): 1.47–16.71) ( P = 0.012). The results of this study show that nuclear p53 protein overexpression has higher predictive value than standard pathological variables.