Expression of p53, p21WAF1/CIP1, p16INK4A and Ki-67 proteins in serous ovarian tumors.
OBJECTIVE
The analysis of p53, p21(WAF1/CIP1), p16(INK4A) and Ki-67 expression in serous ovarian carcinomas of different grade.


METHODS
In total, 43 ovarian adenocarcinomas and 8 non-altered ovarian epithelial tissues were immunohistochemically investigated for expression of Ki-67, p53, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p16(INK4A).


RESULTS
It has been shown that expression of Ki-67, p53, p21(WAF1/CIP1) and p16(INK4A) in non-altered ovarian epithelial tissue is absent. Serous ovarian carcinomas are characterized by high proliferative activity (PI Ki-67 = 30.0 +/- 0.3%), p53 and p16(INK4A) overexpression (LI is 40.3 +/- 0.3% and 31.1 +/- 0.6% respectively) and low expression of p21(WAF1/CIP1) (LI = 6.8 +/- 0.3%). The association between expression of these markers and ovarian tumor grade was defined: the maximal level of Ki-67, p53 and p16/(INK4A) and minimal of p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression were observed in G3 tumors. So, low p21(WAF1/CIP1) expression (LI < 7.0%) combined with p16(INK4A) overexpression is considered to be the factor for a poor prognosis in serous ovarian cancer.


CONCLUSIONS
The present study has indicated that biomolecular markers of cell proliferation along with traditional clinical and morphologic characteristics can be used for differential diagnostics of ovarian tumors.
Buchynska
L G
LG
R.E. Kavetsky Institute of Experimental Pathology, Oncology and Radiobiology, NAS of Ukraine, Kyiv, Ukraine. lubov@onconet.kiev.ua
Nesina
I P
IP
Yurchenko
N P
NP
Bilyk
O O
OO
Grinkevych
V N
VN
Svintitsky
V S
VS
D000230:Adenocarcinoma; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16 / Q000378:metabolism*; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000378:metabolism*; D018284:Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019941:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p16; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D019394:Ki-67 Antigen; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53