Expression of CDKI p27Kip1 in trophoblastic neoplasm.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the role of p27Kip1 in tumorigenesis and the development of trophoblastic cell disease.


METHODS
Using immunohistochemistry, the expression of p27-protein was investigated in 10 normal chorionic villi in the first trimester of pregnancy, 15 complete hydatidiform moles (HM), 7 invasive moles (IM) and 7 choriocarcinomas (CC).


RESULTS
In all cases, immunohistochemical staining localized p27-protein in the plasma. Decreased expression of p27Kip1 was observed in malignant trophoblastic neoplasms with a positive rate of 21.43%, which is significantly less than that in normal chorionic villi (80%) and in complete HM (73.33%) (P < 0.05). The positive rate of p27Kip1 in those complete HM with large uterine size for gestational age was lower than that in those with normal or small uterus (42.86% vs 100%, P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
p27Kip1 may be involved in the tumorigenesis of gestational trophoblastic neoplasm as a negative regulator of the cell cycle. The expression level of p27Kip1 in trophoblastic cells may be a prognostic factor for complete HM.
Wang
G
G
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, West China University of Medical Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
Wang
S
S
Wang
J
J
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D011247:Pregnancy; D014328:Trophoblastic Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014594:Uterine Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism*
D018797:Cell Cycle Proteins; D025521:Tumor Suppressor Proteins; D050760:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p27