[Overexpression of protein p53 and Barrett esophagus. A frequent and early event in the course of carcinogenesis].
OBJECTIVE
In Barrett's oesophagus, the risk of malignancy is evaluated histologically with the presence of dysplasia. The abnormal expression of p53 protein could represent a useful new marker. The aim of this study was evaluate the abnormal expression of p53 protein in a series of 52 oesophagectomy specimens with Barrett's oesophagus, either non-dysplastic (n = 3), dysplastic (n = 8), or malignant (n = 41). The immunohistochemical study was made on deparaffinized sections with the monoclonal anti-p53 antibody DO7.


RESULTS
The 3 non-dysplastic cases were p53 negative; 1 case of low-grade dysplasia in 5 was positive, as were the 3 cases of high grade dysplasia and 33 of 41 cancers (80%), including 13 superficial cancers in 14 (93%) and 20 invasive cancers in 27 (74%). A common feature was the presence of rare p53 positive crypts in low grade dysplastic areas and non-dysplastic specialized mucosa that surrounded high grade dysplasia and cancers.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results confirm the high frequency of the abnormal expression of p53 protein in cancer developed in Barrett's oesophagus. This expression is a consequence of alterations of the TP53 gene, and has an important role in the carcinogenesis of Barrett's mucosa; it is likely to represent an early event. Prospective studies are needed to evaluate its interest in the surveillance of patients with Barrett's oesophagus.
Fléjou
J F
JF
INSERM U410, Faculté Xavier Bichat, Paris.
Volant
A
A
Diebold
M D
MD
Sagan
C
C
Vissuzaine
C
C
Croué
A
A
Robaszkiewicz
M
M
Potet
F
F
D001471:Barrett Esophagus / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics* / Q000601:surgery; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic; D004938:Esophageal Neoplasms / Q000209:etiology / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D016629:Esophagectomy; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D013997:Time Factors; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics*
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
Surexpression de la protéine p53 et endobrachyoesophage. Un événement fréquent et précoce au cours de la carcinogenèse.