Prognostic value of p53, c-erb-B2 and MIB-1 in endometrial carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To assess the immunohistochemical expression of p53 protein, a tumour suppressor gene of the oncogene c-erb-B2 and MIB-1 proliferation marker (Ki-67 antigen) in endometrial carcinoma.


METHODS
We studied 29 cases of endometrial carcinoma in which the p53, c-erb-B2 and MIB-1/Ki-67 antigens were investigated by an immunohistochemical method. We evaluated the correlations among the immunohistochemical positivity and the grading, depth of myometrial invasion, stage of the neoplasia and follow-up.


RESULTS
Both p53 and c-erb-B2 were positive in 16 out of 29 cases (55.2%), whereas MIB-1 was positive in 19 out of 29 cases (65.5%). All these three antigens showed a positive correlation with the grading, myometrial invasion and FIGO stage. Regarding follow-up, p53, c-erb-B2 and MIB-1 were, respectively, positive in 100%, 83.4% and 66.7% of neoplasias of patients who died of disease whereas they were positive in 40%, 40% and 60%, respectively, of tumours of patients with no evidence of disease.


CONCLUSIONS
The overexpression of p53, c-erb-B2 and MIB-1 seem to indicate a more malignant tumour phenotype.
Cherchi
P L
PL
Department of Pharmacology, Gynaecology and Obstetrics, University of Sassari, Italy.
Marras
V
V
Capobianco
G
G
Ambrosini
G
G
Piga
M D
MD
Fadda
G M
GM
Rosas
N
N
Dessole
S
S
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D016889:Endometrial Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis*; D011379:Prognosis; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases / Q000032:analysis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000032:analysis*
D034961:Antigens, Nuclear; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D018719:Erb-b2 Receptor Tyrosine Kinases; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53