[The expression of p16, CDK4 and pRb in hepatocellular carcinomas].
OBJECTIVE
To make an analysis of the expression of p16 gene, CDK4 and retinoblastoma protein(pRb) in human hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC).


METHODS
Application of immunohistochemistry to 40 cases of HCC and their adjacent liver tissues.


RESULTS
The abnormal expressions of p16, CDK4 and pRb were 94.44%(34/36), 40.00%(16/40) and 45.71%(16/35) respectively. Rb protein was strongly stained in 13/34(38.23%) cases lacking or weak staining with p16, which showed a negative relation between the expressions of Rb and p16. The abnormal expressions of both p16 and Rb were 15/34(44.11%) cases, indicating that except p16, there are some other ways to regulate Rb. In 14 cases of CDK4 overexpression, most of them (92.85%) presented p16 aberration, 50.00% of them were observed with pRb abnormal expression, 46.15% of them were along with the alterations of both p16 and pRb. There was no significant correlation between p16 or CDK4 or pRb abnormal expression and HCC malignant grade.


CONCLUSIONS
The data show that the aberrant expression of p16, CDK4 and pRb may play a role in the carcinogenesis of HCC. The changes of p16 expression is prominent.
Luo
D
D
Guangxi Cancer Institute, Nanning.
Liu
Q
Q
Su
J
J
D006528:Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / Q000737:chemistry*; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000032:analysis*; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein / Q000032:analysis*
D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins; D016160:Retinoblastoma Protein; C495900:CDK4 protein, human; D051358:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase 4; D018844:Cyclin-Dependent Kinases