title: Correlation of c-erbB-2 oncogene and p53 tumor suppressor gene with malignant transformation of hydatidiform mole.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Considering the roles of c-erB-2 and p53 oncoproteins in tumor progression, we aimed to evaluate their expression in hydatidiform moles, and the possible predictive value of this immunoexpression in postmolar follow-up.
  
  
  METHODS
  Group I comprised 35 patients with progression to gestational trophoblastic tumor, and group II included 32 patients with progression to spontaneous remission. Immunohistochemical tests were performed by streptavidin-peroxidase method. c-erbB-2 immunoexpression was evaluated according to quantitative and semiquantitative criteria; p53 according to percentage of cells with stained nuclei. Data were analyzed by Student t-test, Mann-Whitney test, ROC curve and logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  c-erbB-2 and p-53 expressions were significantly increased in group I. Quantitative and semiquantitative analysis of c-erb-2 showed that its expression may be associated with mole hydatidiform progression to gestational trophoblastic tumor. Taking into account cells with complete membranous delineation we proposed a cut-off value of 10.8%. Similarly, considering the percentage of cells presenting nuclei marked by p53 we suggested a cut-off value of 40.1% for the prediction of malignant transformation of mole hydatidiform.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  c-erbB-2 and p53 immunoexpression in hydatidiform mole are usually increased with malignant transformation. In addition to beta-fraction of human chorionic gonadotropin, they could possibly help the establishment of a therapeutic protocol.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics, Federal University of São Paulo, Paulista Medical School, São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yazaki-Sun
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daher
authors.forename: Márcia Marcelino
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: de Souza Ishigai
authors.forename: Maria Teresa Seixas
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Alves
authors.forename: Teresa Meire
authors.initials: TM
authors.lastname: Mantovani
authors.forename: Rosiane
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mattar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D018734:Genes, erbB-2; D016158:Genes, p53; D006801:Humans; D006828:Hydatidiform Mole / Q000235:genetics*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011247:Pregnancy