p53 autoantibodies in sera of patients with a colorectal cancer and their association to p53 protein concentration and p53 immunohistochemistry in tumor tissue.
We evaluated p53 autoantibodies (p53-Ab) as a preoperative tumor marker and as a prognosis marker. We also investigated whether p53-Ab production is dependent on p53 protein overexpression in tumor tissue or on tumor volume. Serum samples of patients with a colorectal cancer (n = 130) and of healthy controls (n = 44) were examined for p53-Ab using an ELISA kit. P53 protein expression in tumor tissue was demonstrated immunohistochemically and quantified by ELISA. Tumor volume was calculated and patients' survival computed using the Kaplan-Meier method. p53-Ab were detected in the serum from 15% of patients; all controls were negative. There was a significant correlation between p53-Ab production and positive immunostaining or p53 protein concentration in tumor tissue. p53-Ab were detected at a higher percentage of patients with a tumor volume of 10 cm3 or greater than in those with a smaller tumor. No difference in patients' prognosis was found between the p53-Ab positive and negative groups. Because of their low sensitivity (15%) p53-Ab are not suitable as a preoperative tumor marker. However, their high specificity (100%) and their potential for early diagnosis of a tumor relapse makes them valuable for postoperative monitoring during follow-up in p53-Ab positive patients. Furthermore, their detection can be used as a simple serological test for early detection of p53 alterations.
Broll
R
R
Surgical Research Laboratory, University Clinic Lübeck, Ratzeburger Allee 160, 23538 Lübeck, Germany. broll@medinf.mu-luebeck.de
Duchrow
M
M
Oevermann
E
E
Wellm
C
C
Schwandner
O
O
Schimmelpenning
H
H
Roblick
U J
UJ
Bruch
H P
HP
Windhövel
U
U
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001323:Autoantibodies / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000276:immunology* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology*; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011336:Probability; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D016019:Survival Analysis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis / Q000097:blood*
D001323:Autoantibodies; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53