P53 protein expression and DNA ploidy in common epithelial tumors of the ovary.
OBJECTIVE
To investigate p53 protein expression and DNA content in imprints from surgical biopsies of common epithelial tumors of the ovary.


METHODS
The study was based on 60 cases of epithelial tumors of the ovary (15 benign, 3 border-line and 42 malignant). For the demonstration of p53 protein, immunocytochemical staining with the avidin-extravidin technique was performed using monoclonal antibody p53 DO-7. DNA content was measured by image cytometry after Feulgen staining.


RESULTS
There was a strong correlation between p53 expression and aneuploidy, with the difference between diploid and aneuploid tumors statistically significant (P < .001). A correlation was found between DNA ploidy, histologic grade and clinical stage (P < .001 and P < .05), respectively. There was no correlation between DNA ploidy and histologic type (P = .89). No correlation was observed between p53 protein expression and grade or clinical stage of the tumors. Nevertheless, a correlation of p53 expression between early (I, II) and advanced stages (III, IV) (P < .05) was observed. All benign and borderline tumors were diploid and did not express p53 protein.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of the present study and the data in the literature stress the value of p53 expression and DNA ploidy in assessing the malignant potential of common epithelial ovarian cancers. However, the clinical application of these data requires further study.
Ioakim-Liossi
A
A
Department of Pathology, Medical School of Athens University, Greece.
Karakitsos
P
P
Aroni
K
K
Delivelioti
K
K
Fotiou
V
V
Fotiou
S
S
Kyrkou
K
K
D000782:Aneuploidy; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D004171:Diploidy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D011003:Ploidies; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D004396:Coloring Agents; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; C007722:Feulgen stain; D012394:Rosaniline Dyes; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53