Analysis of p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human gallbladder carcinoma for the determination of tumor vascularity.
OBJECTIVE
To examine the expression of p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) as well as microvessel count (MVC) and to investigate the role of VEGF as an angiogenic marker and the possible role of p53 in the regulation of angiogenesis in human gallbladder carcinoma.


METHODS
Surgically resected specimens of 49 gallbladder carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein, VEGF, and factor VIII-related antigen. VEGF expression and mutant p53 expression were then correlated with Nevin stage, differentiation grade, MVC, and lymph node metastasis.


RESULTS
Positive p53 protein and VEGF expressions were found in 61.2% and 63.3% of tumors, respectively. p53 and VEGF staining status was identical in 55.1% of tumors. The Nevin staging of p53- or VEGF-positive tumors was significantly later than that of negative tumors. The MVC in p53- or VEGF-positive tumors was significantly higher than that in negative tumors, and MVC in both p53- and VEGF-negative tumors was significantly lower than that in the other subgroups.


CONCLUSIONS
Our findings suggest that p53-VEGF pathway can regulate tumor angiogenesis in human gallbladder carcinoma. Combined analysis of p53 and VEGF expression might be useful for predicting the tumor vascularity of gallbladder cancer.
Department of General Surgery, Second Affiliated Hospital, China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China. surgeon_ty@yahoo.com.cn
Yu
Y
Tian
Ren-Yu
RY
Ding
Ying-Hui
YH
Zhi
Ren-Xuan
RX
Guo
Shuo-Dong
SD
Wu
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D005260:Female; D005706:Gallbladder Neoplasms / Q000098:blood supply* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008833:Microcirculation; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D042461:Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A