血小板反应素-1在卵巢上皮癌组织的表达及与p53肿瘤抑制蛋白和肿瘤血管形成的关系

目的：检测血小板反应素-1（TSP-1）和p53肿瘤抑制蛋白在卵巢上皮癌的表达，并探讨其表达与肿瘤血管形成及患者预后的关系。方法：用免疫组化法检测57例原发性卵巢上皮癌组织和22例正常卵巢组织中TSP-1和p53蛋白的表达，并用CD34抗体免疫染色后对微血管密度（MVD）计数。结合随诊资料，回顾分析上述指标与卵巢上皮癌临床病理特征及3年存活率之间的关系。结果：卵巢上皮癌组织中TSP-1的阳性表达率低于正常卵巢组织（分别为47．4％和72．7％，P=0．042），且多为弱阳性表达；卵巢上皮癌组织中p53的阳性率为61．4％，正常卵巢组织未检测到p53蛋白。TSP一1表达和p53蛋白阳性与卵巢上皮癌的手，术病理分期、大网膜转移和癌性腹水相关。卵巢上皮癌组织的MVD高于正常卵巢组织（分别30．3土8．5和20．1±8．1，P=0．014）。TSP-1表达与MVD呈负相关（P〈0．001），p53蛋白阳性与MVD呈正相关（P〈0．001）。TSP-1表达与患者的3年存活率呈正相关（P=0．001），p53蛋白阳性与3年存活率呈负相关（P=0．002）。TSP-1阴性而p53蛋白阳性组患者的3年存活率明显低于TSP-1阳性而p53蛋白阴性组（分别为13．6％和78．6％，P〈0．001）。结论：卵巢上皮癌组织TSP-1和p53蛋白的表达与肿瘤血管形成有关，对上述分子的检测有助于临床判断卵巢上皮癌的生物学行为。     

Expression of cell-cycle mediators in ovarian cancer cells after transfection with p16(INK4a), p21(WAF1/Cip-1), and p53.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine whether transfection of ovarian cancer cell lines with recombinant adenoviral vectors containing wild-type p16(INK4a), p21(WAF1/Cip-1), and p53 caused growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. We also measured the expression of the cell-cycle mediators Bax, Bcl-2, pRb, and mdm-2. METHODS: We introduced the wild-type p16(INK4a), p21(WAF1/Cip-1), and p53 genes into the ovarian cancer cell lines SK-OV-3 (p16(INK4a) and p53 null) and OVCA-420 (p16(INK4a) and p53 wild-type) by adenoviral transfection. Cell growth inhibition was measured over a 10-day period. Induction of apoptosis was tested for both cell lines 48 h after cell transfection. Expression of cell-cycle mediators was evaluated by Western blot analysis and densitometry. RESULTS: Growth inhibition was documented after transfection with p16(INK4a), p21(WAF1/Cip-1), and p53 in both SK-OV-3 cells and OVCA-420 cells. Apoptosis was greatest in SKOV-3 cells after transfection with p53. A significant expression of Bax was only seen in the SKOV-3 cells transfected with p53. The bcl-2 protein was poorly expressed in both cell lines. Expression of pRb was suppressed in OVCA-420 cells transfected with p16(INK4a) and p21(WAF1/Cip-1). Infection with Adp16(INK4a) and Adp53 led to an increase in the level of mdm-2 in the SK-OV-3 cell line only. CONCLUSIONS: In the ovarian cancer cell lines studied, cell growth was inhibited after transfection with p16(INK4a), p21(WAF1/Cip-1), and p53. Cell cycle arrest was highest with p53 transfection. The expression of pro-apoptosis proteins was primarily a function of p53 expression.     

Cathepsin D in ovarian cancer: prognostic value and correlation with p53 expression and microvessel density

OBJECTIVE: Overexpression of ubiquitous lysosomal aspartyl protease cathepsin D (CD) is involved in the progression of cancer. This study investigates the prognostic value and the association of cathepsin D expression with clinicopathological parameters, p53 expression, and angiogenesis in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Cathepsin D was determined immunohistochemically in 43 ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) and 80 invasive tumors FIGO stage I-IV. Results were correlated with clinicopathological characteristics, p53, and microvessel density (MVD). Survival analysis of cathepsin D expression and MVD was performed in invasive tumors. RESULTS: Epithelial tumor cathepsin D expression was more common in LMP tumors (65.1%) compared to invasive tumors (43.7%; P = 0.02). In LMP tumors, stromal cathepsin D was associated with mucinous tumors (P = 0.01), whereas in invasive tumors, epithelial cathepsin D expression was associated with clear cell tumors (P = 0.003). Invasive tumor cathepsin D had a negative relation to p53 expression. In LMP tumors, stromal cathepsin D correlated with microvessel density (P = 0.03). Stromal cathepsin D expression was an independent prognostic factor for disease-free survival (DFS) in patients with invasive cancer (P = 0.03, Cox regression), while cathepsin D expression missed to be of prognostic value for overall survival (OS) in invasive ovarian cancer. MVD had no influence on survival in invasive ovarian cancer (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrates a prognostic value of cathepsin D expression in invasive ovarian cancer, while cathepsin D expression in LMP tumors seems to be linked to angiogenesis. The relation among cathepsin D, p53 expression, and angiogenesis demonstrates biological differences between invasive ovarian cancer and LMP tumors.     

Poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase expression in serous ovarian carcinoma: correlation with p53, MIB-1, and outcome.

This study investigated the expression of poly(adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) in a cohort of ovarian serous carcinomas by immunohistochemistry with regard to outcome, clinicopathologic parameters, proliferation as assessed by MIB-1 labeling indices (LIs), and p53 immunoexpression. Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded archival tissues of 50 ovarian serous carcinomas were immunostained with antibodies to PARP, MIB-1, and p53. In addition, 10 benign serous cystadenomas and 10 typical serous borderline ovarian tumors were included in the PARP immunostudy. Immunostaining for PARP was scored with regard to quantity and intensity of positively stained nuclei as negative, low, or strong. The MIB-1 LIs were quantitated as the percentage of positively stained nuclei in 1000 nuclei. For p53, at least 10% of tumor cells had to display nuclear staining. The expression of PARP was scored negative in all serous cystadenomas and low in serous borderline ovarian tumors. Strong PARP expression was determined in 38 cases (76%), and low expression in 12 cases (12%) of ovarian serous carcinomas; MIB-1 staining was noted in all cases (mean, 44.2; range, 10.8-66.5), positivity for p53 in 39 cases (78%). The PARP immunoreactivity increased with the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics stage (P = 0.0075), as well as p53 positivity (P = 0.0141) and MIB-1 LIs (P = 0.0102), with grade determined after Malpica et al. (P = 0.0445) but not with grade assessed after Shimizu et al. (P = 0.1495). A trend for poor outcome was observed in patients whose tumors displayed high levels of PARP immunoexpression (P = 0.0196, log-rank test). This study indicates that PARP expression is frequently upregulated in ovarian serous carcinomas, related with MIB-1 LIs and p53 expression, and may serve as a marker of aggressive behavior with prognostic value.     

Studies on the molecular mechanism of growth inhibition with p53 adenoviral construct in human ovarian cancer

Mujoo K, Catino JJ, Maneval DC, Gutterman JU. Studies on the molecular mechanism of growth inhibition with p53 adenoviral construct in human ovarian cancer. Int J Gynecol Cancer 1998; 8 : 233–241.
Advanced stage human ovarian cancer exhibits 50–60% mutation of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. We introduced the wild-type p53 gene into the cells using a replication deficient recombinant adenovirus for p53 gene therapy. p53-adenovirus (rAd-p53) inhibited the growth of a number of ovarian cancer cells, which correlated well with the transduction of adenovirus containing β-galactosidase reporter gene in the tested cell lines. Results presented herein demonstrate that p53 induced the expression of CDK inhibitor WAF1/CIP1/p21 in human ovarian cancer cells with null or mutant p53. p53 incorporation also induced the expression of mdm-2 and bax proteins in human ovarian cancer cells. In contrast, we were unable to detect the expression of bcl-2 protein in the tested cells, and the expression bcl-x_L in the tested human ovarian cells was not altered post-infection of cells with rAd-p53. Cell cycle analysis revealed pronounced G1 arrest 24 h post-infection with rAd-p53 in human ovarian cancer cells with only a small percentage of cells (−2%) undergoing apoptosis. rAd-p53 (p53-adenovirus) inhibited the growth of established subcutaneous xenograft tumors (OVCAR-3) of human ovarian carcinoma and completely regressed the tumors in 5/8 mice, indicating a potential for p53 tumor suppressor gene therapy in human ovarian cancer.     

Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in epithelial ovarian tumors and its relation to vascular endothelial growth factor and p53 expression

Abstract.   Lee JS, Choi YD, Lee JH, Nam JH, Choi C, Lee MC, Park CS, Juhng SW, Min KW. Expression of cyclooxygenase-2 in epithelial ovarian tumors and its relation to vascular endothelial growth factor and p53 expression. Int J Gynecol Cancer 2006; 16(Suppl. 1): 247–253.
The purpose of this study was to evaluate cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in epithelial ovarian tumors and its correlation with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and p53 expression. Immunohistochemical studies with anti-COX-2, anti-VEGF, and anti-p53 antibodies were carried out in 54 malignant and 23 borderline epithelial ovarian tumors. Elevated COX-2 expression was detected in 77.8% of ovarian carcinomas, which was significantly higher than that of borderline tumors (26.1%) ( P < 0.001). In ovarian carcinomas, there was no significant correlation between COX-2 expression and other clinicopathologic features. Elevated VEGF expression was detected in 74.1% of ovarian carcinomas, and p53 expression was found in 64.8% of ovarian carcinomas. COX-2 expression was statistically correlated with elevated VEGF expression ( P < 0.001) and p53 positivity ( P < 0.05). On a univariate analysis, FIGO stage ( P < 0.0001), histologic type ( P = 0.0104), and COX-2 expression ( P = 0.0135) were significant prognostic factors for overall survival. In a multivariate analysis, FIGO stage ( P < 0.0001) was the only independent prognostic factor for poor survival. These findings suggest that COX-2 may play a role in the progression of epithelial ovarian tumors and that COX-2 expression may contribute to ovarian tumor angiogenesis by stimulating VEGF expression. p53 may be responsible for the regulation of COX-2 expression.     

脆性组胺酸三聚体蛋白在上皮性卵巢肿瘤中的表达

目的 :探讨脆性组胺酸三聚体 (FHIT)蛋白在上皮性卵巢肿瘤组织中的表达及其意义 ,分析FHIT与P5 3蛋白、nm2 3 H1产物表达之间的相关性。方法 :应用免疫组化二步法检测 83例上皮性卵巢肿瘤蜡块组织标本中FHIT蛋白、P5 3蛋白及nm2 3 H1产物的表达。结果 :FHIT蛋白缺失仅见于恶性上皮性卵巢肿瘤 ,缺失率为 17.0 %。在良性与交界性上皮性卵巢肿瘤中未见FHIT蛋白缺失。在上皮性卵巢癌不同组织学分级中FHIT蛋白的缺失率分别为G10 / 6、G2 8.0 %、G331.8% ,低分化肿瘤FHIT蛋白缺失率显著高于高中分化肿瘤 (P <0 .0 5 ) ;在不同组织学类型中 ,FHIT蛋白缺失仅见于浆液性癌和透明细胞癌 ,缺失率分别为 2 5 .0 %和 1/ 3,在粘液性癌和子宫内膜样癌中未见FHIT蛋白缺失 ,但差异无显著性 (P >0 .0 5 ) ;FHIT蛋白缺失与淋巴结转移、残留癌灶大小及nm2 3 H1产物表达有明显相关性 ,与FIGO分期、有无腹水及P5 3蛋白表达无明显相关性。结论 :FHIT蛋白缺失是恶性上皮性卵巢肿瘤的特征 ,FHIT蛋白表达缺失在卵巢肿瘤的发生发展过程中有一定的作用 ,可能与上皮性卵巢癌的恶性进展及转移有关     

p53 and mdm2 as prognostic indicators in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer: a multivariate analysis

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the study was to investigate the prognostic significance of p53 and mdm2 protein expressions in epithelial ovarian cancer and their relationship with the clinicopathological variables. METHODS: Tumor biopsy specimens from 82 patients who were homogenously treated were examined immunohistochemically for expression of p53 and mdm2 proteins. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed for prognostic factors, and correlations with clinicopathological parameters were examined. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent and 33% of cases stained positive for p53 and mdm2, respectively. p53 expression was associated with serous type, higher grade, positive cytology, residual tumor and stage of the disease. mdm2 expression predicted of chemosensitivity and it was related with higher grade but not with other clinicopathological variables. Significantly poorer survival was seen for those with p53 (P < 0.05) or mdm2 (P < 0.01) positive tumors than those with negative p53 or mdm2 staining. Coexpression of p53 and mdm2 was also related to poor outcome (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis revealed that FIGO stage, mdm2 expression, response to chemotherapy and optimal cytoreduction were significant independent prognostic and predictive factors of survival. CONCLUSION: Although our findings showed that mdm2 may be used as a prognostic indicator in patients with epithelial ovarian cancer, these results should be supported by more and larger studies.     

p53 Expression as a Prognostic Indicator of 5-Year Survival in Endometrial Cancer

BACKGROUND: One of the most common genetic alterations to occur in human cancers is an alteration of the p53 tumor suppressor gene. The purpose of this article was to build upon the authors' previous work with p53 and determine whether p53 was a prognostic indicator of 5-year survival. METHODS: One hundred thirty-seven consecutively surgically treated patients with endometrial cancer had their p53 expression studied by immunoperoxidase staining and quantified by image analysis. All patients were evaluable for 5-year survival. RESULTS: One hundred three patients had endometrioid adenocarcinoma; 6, adenosquamous carcinoma; 14, papillary serous carcinoma; 10, clear cell carcinoma; and 4, undifferentiated carcinoma. p53 expression ranged from 0.0 to 58.2% positive nuclear area with a mean of 11.5% (median 2.6%) for the cohort. For the patients with endometrioid carcinoma, the mean p53 expression was 7.1% while for the nonendometrioid tumors it was 24.6% (P<0.001). Fifty-nine of the 103 endometrioid tumors (57.3%) stained positive for p53 while 32 of the 34 nonendometrioid (94.1%) tumors stained positive (P<0.001). Increasing histologic grade correlated with an increasing p53 expression (P = 0.003). The percentage of tumors expressing p53 was found to be higher in FIGO stage II, III, and IV than in FIGO stage I cancer (P = 0.003). However, mean p53 expression did not differ between early (stage I) and advanced (stage II, III, and IV) cancers (P = 0.088). Utilizing 5-year survival as the endpoint for multivariate analysis, FIGO stage (P = 0.0028) and p53 expression (P<0.001) were the only independent prognostic indicators found. CONCLUSION: p53 expression is more commonly found in nonendometrioid than in endometrioid adenocarcinoma of the endometrium. It, along with FIGO stage, is an independent prognostic indicator of 5-year survival.     

p21~(WAF1/CIP1)和P53蛋白在子宫平滑肌肿瘤的表达和意义

目的 :探讨p2 1WAF1/CIP1和P5 3蛋白在子宫平滑肌肿瘤 (USMTs)的表达和意义。方法 :应用免疫组织化学法检测 2 0例普通型子宫平滑肌瘤 (UL) ,18例子宫平滑肌肉瘤 (LMS)及 70例交界性子宫平滑肌瘤 (BLM) :包括 4 0例富于细胞型子宫平滑肌瘤 (CL)、13例奇异型子宫平滑肌瘤 (BL)、4例核分裂活跃型子宫平滑肌瘤 (ML)、10例不典型子宫平滑肌瘤 (AL)及 3例恶性潜能未定型子宫平滑肌瘤 (STUMP)的p2 1WAF1/CIP1和P5 3蛋白的表达。结果 :LMS组p2 1WAF1/CIP1蛋白表达阳性率明显高于UL组 (P <0 .0 1)和BLM组 (P<0 .0 1) ;LMS组P5 3蛋白表达阳性率显著高于UL组 (P <0 .0 1)和BLM组 (P <0 .0 1)。结论 :LMS的发病机制涉及P5 3基因功能的丧失 ;p2 1WAF1/CIP1在USMT细胞的增殖和灭活中可能起到不同的作用     

卵巢上皮性肿瘤的临床病理特征及其细胞周期素D1和p53蛋白表达的研究

目的研究卵巢上皮性癌（卵巢癌）和交界性上皮性肿瘤的临床病理特征及其细胞周期素D1（cyclin D1）和p53蛋白表达的情况,探讨卵巢癌和交界性上皮性肿瘤在发病机制上的联系。方法分析45例卵巢癌（卵巢癌组）和54例卵巢交界性上皮性肿瘤（交界性肿瘤组）的临床病理资料,采用免疫组化法检测两组组织中cyclin D1、p53蛋白的表达情况,并分析其与临床病理特征的相关性。结果（1）临床病理特征：①年龄：交界性肿瘤组平均年龄为42．5岁（14～82岁）,中位数年龄41岁;卵巢癌组平均年龄为53．5岁（26～80岁）,中位数年龄51岁。②分期：按国际妇产科联盟（FIGO）分期标准,交界性肿瘤组Ⅰ期48例、Ⅱ期3例、Ⅲ期3例;卵巢癌组Ⅰ期6例、Ⅱ期8例、Ⅲ期26例、Ⅳ期5例。③病理类型：交界性肿瘤组以黏液型为主[占56％（30／54）],其次为浆液型[其中普通型11例,微乳头型5例;占30％（16／54）];卵巢癌组以浆液型（其中低度恶性19例,高度恶性3例）为主[占49％（22／45）]。④病理分化程度：卵巢癌组高分化5例,中分化17例,低分化或未分化23例。⑤预后：交界性肿瘤组5年生存率为98％,卵巢癌组为51％,两组比较,差异有统计学意义（P=0．000）。（2）cyclin D1和p53蛋白的表达及其与卵巢癌和交界性肿瘤临床病理特征的相关性：卵巢癌组cyclin D1和p53蛋白的阳性表达率分别为31％（14／45）和56％（25／45）,p53蛋白表达强度与病理分化程度呈正相关（r=0．320,P=0．032）;交界性肿瘤组cyclin D1和p53蛋白的阳性表达率分别为69％（37／54）和6％（3／54）。其中,普通型浆液性交界性肿瘤与高度恶性浆液性癌比较（两者cyclin D1蛋白阳性表达率分别为91％和26％,p53蛋白分别为0和58％）,差异有统计学意义（P〈O．01）;而微乳头型浆液性交界性肿瘤与低度恶性浆液癌比较（两者cyclin D1蛋白阳性表达率分别为3／5和2／3,p53蛋白分别为1／5和1／3）,差异则无统计学意义（P〉0．05）。结论cyclin D1蛋白的过度表达常见于卵巢浆液性交界性肿瘤及低度恶性浆液性癌组织中,而p53蛋白的过度表达更多见于高度恶性浆液性癌组织中。卵巢浆液性交界性肿瘤与高度恶性浆液性癌具有不同的发病机制,而微乳头型浆液性交界性肿瘤与低度恶性浆液性癌的关系可能更为密切。     

Cyclin D1 overexpression and p53 mutation status in epithelial ovarian cancer

OBJECTIVE: To examine the cyclin D1 mRNA expression level in ovarian tumor samples as compared with normal ovaries and to determine the relationship between cyclin D1 overexpression and p53 mutation status in ovarian tumors. METHODS: mRNA was isolated and cDNA was prepared from 27 epithelial ovarian tumors (3 tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) and 24 cancers) and 6 normal ovaries. The cyclin D1 sequences were amplified by using a thermal cycler in parallel with the beta-tubulin gene as an internal control. The cyclin D1 mRNA expression level relative to beta-tubulin was determined by 32P phosphoimager analysis. To confirm the overexpression of the cyclin D1 protein in ovarian tumor cells, immunostaining was performed. The p53 gene mutation status was examined by direct cDNA sequencing. RESULTS: mRNA levels of cyclin D1 were significantly higher in 21 (78%) of the 27 ovarian tumors than in normal ovaries. Cyclin D1 overexpression was detected in ovarian LMP tumors as well as in ovarian cancer cases. Positive immunostaining of cyclin D1 protein was observed in 10 of 18 (56%) ovarian tumors examined. p53 mutations were found in 11 (61%) of 18 ovarian tumors. Of 11 ovarian tumor cases with p53 mutations, 5 showed overexpression of cyclin D1. All 7 ovarian tumor cases without p53 mutations showed significant cyclin D1 mRNA overexpression. CONCLUSION: Cyclin D1 overexpression seems to be an early genetic event in ovarian tumor development. Although p53 may be one of the proteins whose function regulates the expression of G1 cyclins, ovarian tumors with no p53 mutation consistently showed cyclin D1 overexpression. Cyclin D1 overexpression may play an important role in the tumorigenesis of epithelial ovarian tumors.     

The prognostic significance of the immunohistochemical expression of p53, bcl-2, c-erb B-2 and cathepsin-D in ovarian cancer patients receiving platinum with cyclophosphamide or paclitaxel chemotherapy

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of the immunohistochemical expression of p53, bcl-2, c-erbB-2 and cathepsin-D in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). METHODS: We analyzed 100 patients with ovarian carcinoma, FIGO Stage IC-IV who underwent primary cytoreductive surgery and received adjuvant chemotherapy with cyclophosphamide and a platinum analogue (CP) (n = 46) or paclitaxel and a platinum analogue (TP) (n = 54). Immunohistochemical expression was studied on paraffin-embedded tissue from the primary tumor. RESULTS: After a median follow-up of 55 months median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were 16 and 41 months, respectively. Positive bcl-2 staining and absence of cathepsin-D expression were associated with an increased complete response rate in the CP group (p = 0.011 and p = 0.003) but not in the TP group. PFS and OS were not associated with the expression of any of the markers studied. FIGO stage (p = 0.006) and histology (p = 0.047) were the only independent prognostic factors for survival. CONCLUSION: Bcl-2 and cathepsin D expression are associated with response to CP but not TP chemotherapy. P53, bcl-2, c-erb B-2 and cathepsin D expression was not correlated with PFS and OS in our study.     

Glutathione S-transferase GSTM1 and GSTT1 genotypes in ovarian cancer: association with p53 expression and survival

Abstract. The objective of this study was to determine whether the association between GSTM1 null/GSTTI null and survival in ovarian cancer is mediated by the influence of these genes on p53 expression. In 81 women with pure invasive ovarian cancer, GSTM1 null and GSTT1 null genotypes were identified using polymerase chain reaction and p53 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry. The association of these factors with survival was examined using Cox's proportional hazards regression models.
Performance status ( P < 0.001), operative stage ( P = 0.004), residual disease ( P = 0.001), histologic subtype ( P = 0.05), tumor grade ( P = 0.007), and the combined GSTMI null/GSTTl null genotype ( P = 0.023) were all individually associated with survival. p53 expression was not associated with survival ( P = 0.45). In a multivariate analysis, the effects of GSTM1 null/GSTT1 null on survival were lost when residual disease and tumor grade were included. The effects of p53 expression on survival were unchanged when residual disease, tumor grade, operative stage, and performance score were included. GSTM1 null/GSTT1null did not influence the effects of p53 expression on survival and vice versa. The GSTM1 null/GSTT1 null genotype was associated with response to primary chemotherapy ( P = 0.007) but p53 expression was not. We conclude that the association of GSTM1 null/GSTTl null with survival appears to be mediated through different mechanisms to p53 expression in ovarian cancer and in addition, may be a better predictor of outcome.     

Expression of Cell-Cycle Mediators in Ovarian Cancer Cells after Transfection with p16, p21, and p53

Objective.The purpose of this study was to determine whether transfection of ovarian cancer cell lines with recombinant adenoviral vectors containing wild-type p16^INK4a, p21^WAF1/Cip-1, and p53 caused growth inhibition and induction of apoptosis. We also measured the expression of the cell-cycle mediators Bax, Bcl-2, pRb, and mdm-2.Methods. We introduced the wild-type p16^INK4a, p21^WAF1/Cip-1, and p53 genes into the ovarian cancer cell lines SK-OV-3 (p16^INK4a and p53 null) and OVCA-420 (p16^INK4a and p53 wild-type) by adenoviral transfection. Cell growth inhibition was measured over a 10-day period. Induction of apoptosis was tested for both cell lines 48 h after cell transfection. Expression of cell-cycle mediators was evaluated by Western blot analysis and densitometry.Results. Growth inhibition was documented after transfection with p16^INK4a, p21^WAF1/Cip-1, and p53 in both SK-OV-3 cells and OVCA-420 cells. Apoptosis was greatest in SKOV-3 cells after transfection with p53. A significant expression of Bax was only seen in the SKOV-3 cells transfected with p53. The bcl-2 protein was poorly expressed in both cell lines. Expression of pRb was suppressed in OVCA-420 cells transfected with p16^INK4a and p21^WAF1/Cip-1. Infection with Adp16^INK4a and Adp53 led to an increase in the level of mdm-2 in the SK-OV-3 cell line only.Conclusions. In the ovarian cancer cell lines studied, cell growth was inhibited after transfection with p16^INK4a, p21^WAF1/Cip-1, and p53. Cell cycle arrest was highest with p53 transfection. The expression of pro-apoptosis proteins was primarily a function of p53 expression.     

Prognostic significance of p53 and p21(waf1/cip1) immunoreactivity in epithelial cancers of the ovary

OBJECTIVES: Theprognostic value of p53 expression in epithelial ovarian cancer remains unresolved. We hypothesized that prognosis may relate more to expression of p21(waf1/cip1), the major downstream effector of p53, which can also be induced through p53-independent mechanisms. We therefore studied the relationship of p53 and p21(waf1/cip1) expression in epithelial ovarian cancers to clinicopathological variables and prognosis. METHODS: Fixed, embedded tumors from 85 patients with untreated, primary epithelial ovarian cancer were immunostained with antibodies to p53 and p21(waf1/cip1). Expression was correlated with clinicopathological features and prognosis. Survival curves were calculated by the Kaplan-Meier method and compared using the log-rank test for p53, p21(waf1/cip1), and all combinations of expression of the two markers. RESULTS: Sixty-two percent of tumors expressed p53, and 42% expressed p21(waf1/cip1). There was no correlation between p53 and p21(waf1/cip1) expression. Advanced stage, grade, age >/=50, and p53 expression were associated with worse disease-free survival. Patients whose tumors were p53(+)/waf1(-), however, had a particularly strong association with poorer disease-free survival when compared with other combinations of p53 and p21(waf1/cip1) expression (P = 0.003). Neither p53, nor p21(waf1/cip1), nor combinations of expression were independently related to survival when histology, age, stage, and differentiation were considered. CONCLUSIONS: p53 expression in the absence of p21(waf1/cip1) expression is a better marker of poor prognosis than either p53 or p21(waf1/cip1) expression status alone in univariate analysis. Absence of independent prognostic significance may be related to the paucity of early stage cases in the current study.     

Ovarian cancer p53 mutation is associated with tumor microvessel density

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between microvessel density, as measured by CD31 staining, and histopathologic factors as well as p53 tumor suppressor gene mutation in ovarian cancer. METHODS: Ovarian cancers (n = 77) were analyzed for p53 gene mutations and CD31 immunohistochemical expression. Histopathologic and mutational data were related to CD31 staining utilizing the Mantel correlation statistic. The microvessel density was scored by averaging counts from three high-power (200x) fields. Survival was based upon maximizing the hazard ratio. RESULTS: The mean microvessel density counts based on CD31 staining (vessels/HPF) for each FIGO stage and mutation type are as follows: Stage I (10.2), Stage II (10.7), Stage III (13.8), Stage IV (22.0), wild-type p53 (9.3), missense p53 mutation (14.4), and null p53 mutation (23.1). There was a significant correlation between microvessel density count and FIGO stage (P = 0.026), grade (P = 0.04), and p53 mutation type (P = 0.02). Median survival was more than doubled (6.4 vs 2.9 years; P = 0.009) for tumors with microvessel density counts less than or equal to 14 vessels/HPF. CONCLUSIONS: These data are consistent with the hypothesis that ovarian cancer p53 mutation functions to directly influence angiogenesis, which in turn compromises disease-specific survival. It also suggests validity to targeting p53 alterations with gene replacement as well as the use of antiangiogenesis agents as novel molecular-based therapeutics for ovarian cancer.     

The combined evaluation of p27Kip1 and Ki-67 expression provides independent information on overall survival of ovarian carcinoma patients

OBJECTIVE: Considering the limited and controversial information on the significance of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27Kip1 in ovarian cancer, we conducted a retrospective investigation to clarify the relationships of this protein to proliferation rate, clinicopathologic variables, and prognosis of epithelial ovarian tumors. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissue from 43 ovarian tumors of low malignant potential (LMP) and 80 primary ovarian adenocarcinomas was stained immunohistochemically for p27Kip1, Ki-67 antigen (a marker of cell proliferation), and p53 protein. Expression of these markers was correlated with clinicopathologic features and with overall survival of patients with adenocarcinomas. RESULTS: p27Kip1 levels were significantly higher in LMP tumors as well as in low-grade, early-stage, slowly proliferating adenocarcinomas and those associated with minimal residual disease (P < 0.001). Decreased p27Kip1 expression was related to poor overall survival on its own (P = 0.0304) and, when combined, to increased proliferation rate (P = 0.0232). More importantly, in multivariate analysis, p27Kip1/Ki-67 status was independently related to survival (P = 0.040) along with histologic type and FIGO stage. CONCLUSION: Decreased p27Kip1 expression is related to several clinicopathologic indicators of aggressiveness in ovarian adenocarcinomas and is a major player in cell cycle control in these neoplasms. On the contrary, deregulation of the protein does not seem to participate in the pathogenesis of LMP tumors. Furthermore, combined p27Kip1/Ki-67 expression is a better prognostic marker than expression of p27Kip1 or Ki-67 alone and supplements the prognostic information gained from traditional prognosticators.