A comparative analysis of Ki-67, p53, and p21WAF1CIP1 expression in tamoxifen associated endometrial carcinomas.
OBJECTIVE
To determine clinicopathologic parameters, expression of proliferation markers, and immunohistochemical oncogene expression in endometrial cancers in patients with a history of breast cancer with and without tamoxifen use.


METHODS
Thirty endometrial carcinoma specimens were examined from patients with a previous history of breast cancer. Patients who had taken tamoxifen (15) were compared to non-users (15). Immunohistochemical staining was performed for p53, Ki-67, and p21WAF1/CIP1, overexpression was defined as greater than 10% positivity.


RESULTS
Patient populations were statistically similar. P53 was overexpressed in 73% of tamoxifen users compared to 53% of non-users. Ki-67 was overexpressed in over 90% of user and non-user specimens. p21WAF1/CIP1 was overexpressed in 33% of users and 47% of non-users. Tamoxifen users had shorter time to diagnosis of endometrial cancer than non-users.


CONCLUSIONS
In this small study, tamoxifen associated tumors expressed p53 more frequently than non-users, while the opposite was observed with p21WAF1/CIP1. This suggests that p53 mutations might play a role in development of tamoxifen associated tumors.
Ramondetta
L M
LM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19107, USA.
Palazzo
J P
JP
Dunton
C J
CJ
Kovatich
A J
AJ
Carlson
J A
JA
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D002467:Cell Nucleus / Q000473:pathology; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology*; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors / Q000032:analysis; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis* / Q000235:genetics
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D016213:Cyclins; D004791:Enzyme Inhibitors; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D013629:Tamoxifen