TP53, BCL-2, p21Waf1/Cip1 and metallothionein as markers of differentiation, response to treatment and prognosis in neuroblastic tumors.
OBJECTIVE
To identify markers of response to therapy in neuroblastic tumors.


METHODS
A total of 58 patients with neuroblastic tumor (38 neuroblastomas, 13 ganglioneuroblastomas and 7 ganglioneuromas) were included in the study. TP53, BCL-2, p21Waf1/Cip1 and metallothionein were included as a biologic approach to tumor differentiation, response to therapy and prognosis.


RESULTS
Patients who died of disease had the following immunophenotype: BCL-2 (9 of 10), nuclear TP53 (7 of 10) and metallothionein (7 of 10). TP-53 expression was related to clinical stage (p = 0.062) and disease outcome (p = 0.0218). All patients in whom treatment failed expressed metallothionein (3 of 3).


CONCLUSIONS
TP53, BCL-2, p21Waf1/Cip1 and metallothionein had limited value reflecting tumor maturation (differentiation) or predicting response to therapy. Only nuclear TP53 accumulation may be relevant in patient's prognosis.
Lara-Bohórquez
Concepción
C
Infanta Elena Hospital, Huelva, Spain.
González-Cámpora
Ricardo
R
Mendoza-García
Eladio
E
Ríos-Martín
Juan José
JJ
Pareja-Megía
María Jesús
MJ
López-Beltrán
Antonio
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism*; D002454:Cell Differentiation; D002648:Child; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D018305:Ganglioneuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D009447:Neuroblastoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C493956:CDKN1A protein, human; D050759:Cyclin-Dependent Kinase Inhibitor p21; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53; D008668:Metallothionein