Prognostic significance of Bcl-2 and p53 expression in advanced laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Proteins regulating the cell cycle and cell death are frequently abnormally expressed in cancer. Several of these, particularly p53 and Bcl-2, have been widely suggested as possible prognostic markers in diverse human malignancies. Their role in predicting outcome in squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck is unclear and may depend on the location, stage, and treatment of the tumor. METHODS: To assess this question specifically for advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the larynx, we studied 69 patients with stage III or IV tumors, all but 6 of whom were treated with surgery plus postoperative irradiation by a single physician. We studied the patients retrospectively to test the association between expression of Bcl-2 and p53, as assessed by immunohistochemistry, with treatment outcome and survival. RESULTS: Twenty of the 69 patients died from their tumor (poor outcome); the rest were alive and tumor free at the last follow-up or died of unrelated causes without clinical tumor recurrence (good outcome). Fourteen tumors had detectable Bcl-2 expression, including 8 scored as overexpressors. Thirty-nine tumors overexpressed p53. Expression of neither Bcl-2 nor p53 was associated with outcome, overall survival, or disease-free survival. Only tumor stage was significantly associated with outcome and disease-free survival. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that assessing expression of p53 or Bcl-2 is unlikely to be prognostically useful for surgically treated advanced laryngeal carcinoma.     

Expression of PCNA, p53, Bax, and Bcl-X in oral poorly differentiated and basaloid squamous cell carcinoma: relationships with prognosis

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical features and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), p53, Bcl-X, and Bax expression in primary oral basaloid squamous cell carcinoma (BSCC) and poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma (PDSCC) matched by stage and site and to assess the possible prognostic significance of these variables. METHODS: Seventeen cases of oral BSCC were compared with 27 PDSCCs matched by stage and tumor site. In addition, PCNA, p53, Bax, and Bcl-X expression in both carcinomas were evaluated in relation to their clinicopathologic features and prognostic values using the Kaplan-Meier method and Cox regression models. RESULTS: No statistically significant differences were found between the groups (BSCC and PDSCC) in regard to clinical features and immunohistochemical reactivity for antibodies PCNA, p53, and Bcl-X. In comparison with PDSCC, the BSCC group exhibited a higher Bax score (p = .031). The 5-year and 10-year overall survival, cancer-specific survival, and disease-free survival rates demonstrated no significant differences between the BSCC and PDSCC groups, and the PCNA, p53, Bax, and Bcl-X also showed no prognostic value. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the clinical and biologic course of BSCC is similar to PDSCC in the oral cavity when clinical stage and site are matched.     

表浅性膀胱移行细胞癌中p53和Bcl-2同时表达的临床意义

目的 :探讨表浅性膀胱移行细胞癌中Bcl 2和 p5 3的同时表达与膀胱癌预后之间的关系。 方法 :应用免疫组化技术 (SABC法 )检测 4 2例表浅性膀胱癌蜡块标本中Bcl 2和p5 3的表达。患者术后平均随访 36个月 ,14例复发 ,其中复发 2次以上 9例 ,有转移者 4例。结果 :4 2例中 ,31例 (73.8% ) p5 3阳性表达 ,与G1(6 2 .5 % )和G2 (72 .2 % )相比较 ,G3 (81.2 % )更多见 ;pT1期 (78.6 % )p5 3阳性率较 pTa期 (6 4 .3% )高。 12例(2 8.6 % )发现有Bcl 2表达 ,Bcl 2表达阳性率G3 (37.5 % )明显高于G2 (2 2 .2 % )和G1(2 5 .0 % ) ,与分期无关 (P>0 .0 5 )。膀胱癌复发率p5 3基因表达阳性者高于阴性者 (P <0 .0 5 ) ,而Bcl 2基因表达阳性者与阴性者的差别无统计学意义 (P >0 .0 5 ) ,但 p5 3和Bcl 2同时呈阳性表达者 (8例 )明显高于其他患者 (P <0 .0 1)。Bcl 2和p5 3的阳性表达与肿瘤侵袭性和淋巴结及远处转移有关。结论 :p5 3和Bcl 2同时阳性表达的肿瘤患者预后较差 ,两者同时检测对判断膀胱癌复发及预后更具有指导意义。     

甲状腺肿瘤中Bcl-2及p53基因产物的表达及意义

Ｂｃｌ－２及ｐ５３基因可以调控细胞凋亡。我们应用Ｂｃｌ－２及ｐ５３基因产物单克隆抗体．标记５３例甲状腺腺癌及４１例甲状腺癌。结果发现，甲状腺癌和部分甲状腺腺瘤有Ｂｃｌ－２及ｐ５３基因产物表达。阳性产物分别定位于肿瘤细胞浆和细胞核。在甲状腺癌，二种基因产物阳性表达率在恶性度较高的未分化癌和滤泡状癌或临床ＴＮＭ分期Ⅲ、Ⅳ期的病例增高显著。提示Ｂｃｌ－２及突变型ｐ５３基因产物与甲状腺肿瘤的发生、发展及预后有关。     

Immunomodulation of hepatic ischemic injury via increased Bcl-X(L) and decreased Bcl-X(S)

BACKGROUND: Although classic ischemia-reperfusion injury is mediated by reactive oxygen intermediaries, increasing evidence implicates a role for immune-mediated apoptosis during ischemic injury in transplantation. Herein, we report the effects of polyclonal rabbit anti-thymocyte globulin (rATG) on mediators of hepatic apoptosis during cold storage. METHODS: Three-month-old male Lewis rats were placed under halothane anesthesia and the portal vein cannulated. University of Wisconsin (UW) solution (35 ml) with (n = 5) and without (n = 5) 20 mg/kg anti-rat rATG was infused before hepatectomy. The liver was stored in UW solution +/- rATG (143 ng/ml) at 4 degrees C for various times up to 24 h. Specimens were terminal deoxyuridine nick end labeling-stained for apoptosis. Tissue lysates were analyzed by Western blotting and densitometry. RESULTS: Compared to UW alone, significantly fewer apoptotic cells were present in UW + rATG perfused and stored livers. There were early and sustained significant increases in Bcl-X(L) and decreases in Bcl-X(S) with rATG. There was an initial, but not sustained, significant decrease in Bax with rATG. Moreover, there was a significant one-third decrease in caspase-9 production with rATG at 0, 6, 12, and 18 h. CONCLUSION: Decreased proapoptotic Bcl-X(S) and increased antiapoptotic Bcl-X(L), as well as decreased downstream proapoptotic caspase-9 expression, during liver ischemia after treatment with rATG, all favor cell survival. Because apoptotic ischemic injury results in allograft dysfunction, preservation strategies that ameliorate such immunological effects may improve organ function.     

Prognostic value of p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki-67 expression in undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas

In this study the prognostic importance of p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA), and Ki-67 expression was analyzed along with the clinical parameters in 35 consecutive patients with undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinomas. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect p53, PCNA, and Ki-67 staining. Among the clinical findings, stage IV disease (P = 0.01), cranial nerve paralysis (P = 0.02), and lymph node metastasis (P = 0.06) were associated with shorter survival. The p53 positivity correlated with the presence of lymph nodes, but it was not a significant factor to predict the outcome. PCNA expression was not found to be a prognostic indicator. On the other hand, the proliferative value of Ki-67 staining was suggestive of prognosis. A proliferation index of Ki-67 less than 10% indicated longer survival (P = 0.03). There was no correlation between Ki-67 staining and PCNA index. As a result, the prognostic value of Ki-67 may alert the physician to more aggressive and adjuvant treatment modalities.     

Significance of proto-oncogene Bcl-X(S/L) expression in Wilms tumor

The rate of apoptosis varies in malignant tumors, and it can be involved in diminishing tumor size. Different protein-regulators of apoptosis, such as Bcl-2, BclX, and Bax have an influence on the rate of apoptosis in various tumors. In human renal diseases, such as the experimental model of acute renal failure, and many tumors, including Wilms' tumor, the expression of antiapoptotic members of Bcl-2 family is increased, while the expression of proapoptotic members is low. AIM: The aim of our study was to investigate Bcl-X(S/L) protein expression in Wilms' tumor, to compare it with the expression in normal renal tissue, as well as to see if there is a correlation between Bcl-X(S/L) expression in Wilms' tumor with tumor stage, histological type, prognostic group, or response to preoperative chemotherapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty-eight cases of Wilms' tumor (two cases with metastasis) and two samples of normal kidney tissue were studied using streptavidin-biotin-complex technique. Bcl-X(S/L) expression levels were semiquantitatively scored. RESULTS: The expression of Bcl-X(S/L) was observed in the majority of cases (60.7%), more often in the blastemal than in the epithelial component of Wilms' tumor: 60.7% and 28.6%, respectively (p=0.02). There was a statistically significant inverse relationship between Bcl-X(S/L) expression and tumor stage (p=0.015). Bcl-X(S/L) was found less frequently in high-risk tumors then in tumors with good prognosis (p=0.02). Treated Wilms' tumors showed Bcl-X(S/L) expression more often than nontreated tumors, but the relationship was not statistically significant (p=0.08). Expression of Bcl-X(S/L) was detected in various histological types of Wilms' tumor, but there was no statistically significant association (p=0.82) except in cases with diffuse anaplasia (p=0.012), which were always negative. No Bcl-X(S/L) immunostaining was observed in two cases of metastasis or in one case of bilateral Wilms' tumor. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the expression of Bcl-X(S/L) protein is associated with prognostic group, tumor stage, and presence of anaplasia.     

Nuclear and cytoplasmic p53 expression in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma: prognostic implications

BACKGROUND: The role of p53 expression in human neoplasms is still controversial, and it has been associated with both favorable and unfavorable outcome of the patients. Also cytoplasmic expression of p53 protein has been reported to affect survival in some cancers. Furthermore, an association between p53 and beta-catenin expression has been demonstrated. We studied the expression of p53 in a large group of oropharyngeal and hypopharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas and its relation to catenin expression, histologic differentiation, clinical data, and prognosis. METHODS: Primary tumors for analyses were obtained from 123 patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx or hypopharynx between 1975 and 1998 in Eastern Finland. Immunohistochemistry was used to evaluate the expression of p53 as well as alpha-, beta-, and gamma-catenins. RESULTS: In the primary tumors (n = 123), the nuclear p53 expression index was low in 42 (34%), intermediate in 38 (31%), and high in 43 (35%) cases. Cytoplasmic p53 expression was present in 56 (46%) and absent in 67 (54%) tumors. In univariate analyses (Kaplan-Meier), hypopharyngeal primary site (p =.02), high T class (p <.0005), presence of distant metastases (p =.02), low Karnofsky performance index (p <.0005), high nuclear p53 expression index (p =.01), and positive cytoplasmic p53 expression (p =.04) predicted poorer overall survival (OS). In Cox proportional hazards model, only T class (p =.0005), Karnofsky performance index (p =.005), and nuclear beta-catenin expression (p =.038) predicted poorer OS. CONCLUSION: Positive cytoplasmic p53 expression and nuclear p53 overexpression seem to relate to more aggressive features and unfavorable outcome in pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC). However, unlike more traditional variables, p53 expression is not an independent predictor of disease outcome in PSCC.     

p16 overexpression identifies HPV-positive vulvar squamous cell carcinomas

Two types of vulvar squamous cell carcinomas (VSCCs) are recognized according to their relationship to human papillomavirus (HPV). Basaloid or warty carcinomas are considered HPV-associated tumors, whereas differentiated keratinizing neoplasms are considered non-HPV-associated. Recently, immunohistochemical detection of p16 and p53 has been proposed to differentiate these 2 types of VSCCs. We conducted a histologic study with immunohistochemical evaluation of p16 and p53 and HPV detection and typing by polymerase chain reaction using 2 different sets of primers in 92 cases of VSCCs to evaluate the usefulness of immunohistochemistry in the classification of VSCCs and to describe the clinico-pathologic characteristics of both types of VSCCs. HPV was detected in 16/92 (17.4%) specimens, HPV16 being identified in 75% of positive cases. A significant number of discrepancies between histology and HPV detection were observed, with 37.5% of HPV-positive tumors being keratinizing and 9.2% of HPV-negative carcinomas showing basaloid or warty features. Diffuse positivity for p16 and p53 was observed in 100% and 6.2% of HPV-positive tumors and in 2.3% and 64.5% of HPV-negative neoplasms, respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of p16 immunostaining to detect HPV-associated carcinomas (100% and 98.7%, respectively) were better than those of histologic criteria (93.8% and 35.5%) and of p53 negative stain (62.5% and 93.4%). Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 of basaloid/warty type was identified in 53.8% HPV-positive tumors, including 3 keratinizing tumors. All these cases were p16 positive and p53 negative. Vulvar intraepithelial neoplasia grade 3 of differentiated type was observed in 45.6% of HPV-negative cases; 90.8% of them were positive for p53 but all were negative for p16. No differences in age, stage, or development of recurrence were observed between HPV-positive and negative tumors. In summary, the current morphologic criteria to discriminate HPV-positive and negative VSCCs have a significant overlap. Immunostaining for p16 is a reliable marker for HPV-positive VSSCs, which improves the results of histologic classification.     

凋亡抑制基因Livin在食管癌中的表达及其与P53、Bcl-2的关系

目的探讨凋亡抑制基因Livin在食管癌组织中的表达及其与P53和Bcl-2表达的关系。方法采用逆转录-聚合酶链反应（RT—PCR）结合银染技术检测36例食管癌组织和18例癌旁正常组织中Livin mRNA的表达，采用免疫组织化学链霉菌抗生物素蛋白-过氧化酶（S—P）法检测食管癌组织中Livin、P53和Bcl-2蛋白的表达。结果RT—PCR检测结果显示：Livin mRNA在食管癌组织中的阳性表达较癌旁正常组织明显增强，两种异构体基本同时表达。免疫组织化学检测结果显示：Livin蛋白在食管癌组织中的阳性表达率明显高于癌旁正常组织（P〈0.01）。癌组织侵及食管外膜的Livin阳性表达率高于癌组织侵及食管肌层者（P〈0.05）；有淋巴结转移者的Livin阳性表达率高于无淋巴结转移者（P〈0.05）。Livin蛋白表达与P53蛋白表达无关（x^2=1．00，P=0．505），与Bcl-2蛋白表达有关（x^2=10．60，P=0．003）。结论Livin在食管癌组织中异常表达，有望成为食管癌诊断和基因治疗的新靶点。凋亡相关基因Bcl-2与Livin基因的异常表达可能在食管癌癌变中起协调作用。     

Expression of CD44 protein in renal cell carcinomas: association with p53 expression

CD44 is an adhesion molecule involved in cell-to-cell and cell-to-matrix interactions. Recent evidence indicates a role of CD44 in tumor growth and metastatic potential of tumor cells. Moreover, it is widely known that the p53 tumor suppressor gene controls cell proliferation and loss of its normal function may lead to carcinogenesis. To investigate the role of these biomarkers in renal cancer, we analyzed the immunohistochemical distribution of CD44's expression on formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue from 67 renal cell carcinomas and correlated with clinicopathologic parameters as well as with p53 suppressor gene expression. The monoclonal antibodies CD44 and p53 were applied to the tissues using the streptavidin biotin peroxidase method after microwave antigen retrieval. For CD44 and p53 more than 10% membranous and 5% nuclear staining, respectively, were estimated as positive. CD44's membranous immunoreactivity was detected in 24/67 tumors (35%) and mostly in carcinomas of clear/granular cell type. Nine tumors expressed nuclear immunoexpression of p53 protein (13.4%). Statistically significant correlation was noted between CD44 expression and nuclear grade (P < 0.001), tumor stage (P < 0.001), vascular invasion (P < 0.05) and p53 expression (P < 0.01). These results suggest that CD44s and p53 are markers of tumor progression in renal cell cancer.     

Detection of human papillomavirus DNA and expression of p16, Rb, and p53 proteins in small cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix

Human papillomavirus (HPV) has been implicated as an etiologic agent for the development of primary small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix, a rare but highly aggressive malignancy. It has been shown that the HPV E6 and E7 oncoproteins are able to inactivate the tumor suppressor functions of p53 and Rb. In squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the cervix, HPV infection is also associated with overexpression of p16, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor. In this study, 22 cases of primary small cell carcinoma of the uterine cervix were subjected to broad-spectrum HPV DNA amplification and typing, and immunohistochemically examined for the expression of p16, Rb, and p53 proteins. The results show that HPV DNA was detected in every case (100%), with 18 cases (82%) harboring type 18. The tumor cells exhibited strong nuclear staining for p16 in 20 cases (91%). This was associated with a complete loss of Rb nuclear staining in tumor cells in 16 cases (73%). The p53 protein was essentially undetectable in all cases. In contrast, HPV DNA was not detected in 9 colorectal and 8 urinary bladder small cell carcinomas included in this study for comparison. While similar p16 and Rb expression patterns were observed in these HPV-negative tumors, a different expression pattern for p53 was noted where strong nuclear staining was seen in 8 cases (47%; P = 0.0004 compared with cervical tumors). These observations indicate that different mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of small cell carcinomas of the uterine cervix and support the notion that nuclear p16 overexpression serves as an indication of Rb defunctioning in tumor cells, which may or may not result from high-risk HPV infection.