Expression of beta-catenin and p53 are prognostic factors in deep aggressive fibromatosis

AIMS: To determine the prognostic significance of beta-catenin in aggressive fibromatosis and to identify potential molecular markers for new targeted therapies. METHODS AND RESULTS: A tissue microarray of 37 cases of deep aggressive fibromatosis was constructed and subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for beta-catenin, p53, smooth muscle actin (SMA), desmin, Ki67, c-erbB2, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), c-kit, CD34 and S100. Complete clinical follow-up was available for 23 patients. Nuclear beta-catenin expression was associated with an increased rate of local tumour recurrence (60.0% 1-year and 0% 5-year event-free survival; P < 0.05). Furthermore, p53 expression was associated with an increased risk of tumour recurrence (50% 1-year event-free survival rate and 0% 5-years event-free survival rate, P < 0.05). The coexpression of p53 and beta-catenin was significantly correlated (P < 0.05). No statistically significant association was seen between MIB1 and p53 or beta-catenin expression, respectively. No expression of EGFR, c-erbB2 or c-kit was seen. CONCLUSIONS: The overexpression of beta-catenin and p53 is associated with a decreased event-free survival in deep aggressive fibromatosis. Further studies are required to establish whether these findings can lead to an improvement in the treatment of this rare neoplasm.