P53 immunostaining predicts chemosensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer: A preliminary report.
OBJECTIVE
Although resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem in cancer treatment, there is no predictor of treatment response. Recent reports suggest that p53 status may provide a genetic basis for drug resistance.


METHODS
Transbronchial biopsy specimens from 18 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were evaluated for p53 expression using anti-p53 antibody (DO-1). After biopsy, these patients received more than two courses of identical chemotherapy including cisplatin, carboplatin, and vindesine.


RESULTS
Ten of 18 (56%) patients responded to chemotherapy. The accumulation of p53 protein was detected in 10 of 18 (56%) patients. Positive staining for p53 was significantly correlated with unresponsiveness to chemotherapy. Other factors, including gender, performance status, body weight loss, serum albumin, and serum LDH, did not correlate with the immunohistochemical expression of p53.


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that immunostaining with p53 can be a predictor of the response to chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between p53 expression and chemosensitivity.
Kawasaki
M
M
Research Institute for Diseases of the Chest, Faculty of Medicine, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan.
Nakanishi
Y
Y
Yatsunami
J
J
Takayama
K
K
Ochiai
S
S
Xinhai
P
P
Kuwano
K
K
Hara
N
N
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016190:Carboplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*; D014751:Vindesine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D016190:Carboplatin; D002945:Cisplatin; D014751:Vindesine