Determination of molecular marker expression can predict clinical outcome in colon carcinomas.

PURPOSE: Conventional staging procedures are often unable to precisely predict prognosis in colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we set out to investigate the possible role of molecular/structural indicators involved in cell cycle regulation (p27 and p53), apoptosis (p53 and p27), and tumor neoangiogenesis [p53, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and microvessel count] in predicting tumor behavior and clinical outcome in CRC patients EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Analysis of the above indicators was performed by immunohistochemistry on 104 CRC patient samples and 25 normal colon mucosa specimens. RESULTS: Intense p27 nuclear staining was found in normal colon mucosa, with p53 nuclear staining and VEGF cytoplasmic accumulation <10%, and low microvessel count. In contrast, in CRC samples, p27 was down-regulated in 53.8%, p53 protein was overexpressed in 52%, and VEGF stained positive in 67.3% of the cases, respectively. Multiple regression analysis showed that molecular markers were strongly correlated. In patients treated with curative surgery, a significant relationship was seen between p27 down-regulation and Dukes' stage, nodal status, and the presence of distant metastases. VEGF overexpression correlated significantly with Dukes' stage, tumor (t) and metastasis (m) parameters, and left site. Stepwise regression selected p27, p53, VEGF, and Dukes' stage as the best combination of variables capable of predicting both disease-specific and disease-free survival. CONCLUSIONS: The investigated indicators may be useful for the prediction of outcome and recurrence rate in curatively treated CRC patients. In conjunction with clinical and pathological staging, they may provide a stronger indication of clinical outcome than staging alone and help better select therapeutic options in CRC patients.     

P53 mutation analysis of colorectal liver metastases: relation to actual survival, angiogenic status, and p53 overexpression.

PURPOSE: To correlate TP53 mutations with angiogenic status of the tumor and prognosis after liver surgery in patients with colorectal liver metastases and to correlate immunohistochemical staining of p53 protein with TP53 gene mutations. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Tumors of 44 patients with surgically treated colorectal liver metastases were analyzed for (a) TP53 mutations using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis followed by sequencing, (b) microvessel density using the hot spot overlap technique, (c) apoptotic rate in tumor cells and endothelial cells of tumor microvessels using double immunostaining for anti-cleaved caspase 3 and anti-CD34, and (d) expression of p53 protein using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: TP53 mutations were detected in 36% of the metastases and occurred more frequently in liver metastases from left-sided colon tumors than from right-sided colon tumors (P = 0.04). In metastases with TP53 mutations, microvessel density was higher compared with tumors with wild-type p53. Endothelial cell apoptosis was not different in tumor microvessels from TP53-mutated versus nonmutated tumors. The 5-year actual survival was not influenced by TP53 mutational status, microvessel density, or endothelial cell apoptotic rate of the tumors. Based on immunohistochemical p53 overexpression, the positive and negative predictive values of TP53 mutations were 61% and 82%. CONCLUSIONS: In patients with surgically treated colorectal liver metastases, TP53 mutations and angiogenic status did not influence prognosis. Immunohistochemistry is not a reliable technique for detecting TP53 mutations.     

Analysis of p53 and vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor Flk-1 expression in human gallbladder carcinoma for determination of tumor vascularity

Objective： More and more studies have demonstrated that the p53 tumor suppressor gene plays an important role in controlling tumor angiogenesis. There is some evidence that p53 mutations cause overexpression of vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）, a major inducer of angiogenesis. In addition, there is now growing evidence that several malignancies express receptors for VEGF, especially receptor-2 （Flk-1/KDR）, raising the possibility that the VEGF/VEGF receptor axis may serve as an autocrine pathway in some tumors. We examined the expression of p53 and VEGF and its receptor FlK-1, together with microvessel count （MVC） to investigate the role of VEGF as an angiogenic marker, the presence of VEGF/Flk-1 axis, and the possible role of p53 in the regulation of angiogenesis in human gallbladder carcinoma. Methods： Surgically resected specimens of 49 gallbladder carcinomas were studied by immunohistochemical staining for p53 protein, VEGF, Flk-1 and factor VIII-related antigen. VEGF expression and mutant p53 expression were then correlated with Nevin stage, differentiation grade, MVC, and lymph nodes metastasis. Results： VEGF, Flk-1 expression and positive p53 protein accumulation and BEGF expression was found in 63.3%, 67.3% and 61.2% of tumors, respectively. The expression of Flk-1 was markedly correlated with VEGF （P〈0.05）. The percentage of the patients with both positive VEGF and Flk-1 expressions was 49.0% （24/49）, and their MVC value was markedly higher than that of the others. P53 and VEGF staining status were identical in 55.1% of tumors. The Nevin staging of p53-or VEGF-positive tumors was significantly later than negative tumors. The MVC in p53-or VEGF-positive tumors was significantly higher than that in negative tumors, and MVC in both p53- and VEGF-negative tumors was significantly lower than that in the other subgroups. Conclusion： The findings suggest the VEGF/F1 k- 1 axis and p53-VEGF pathway tumor angiogenesis in human gallbladder carcinoma. Combined analysis of p53 and VEGF expression, plus Flk-1 and VEGF expression might be useful for predicting the tumor vacularity and biologic behaviors of gallbladder cancer.     

Association of p53 mutations,microvessel density and neoangiogenesis in pairs of colorectal cancers and corresponding liver metastases

p53 suppressor gene mutations are a well known step which occurs in the late stages of the complex tumourigenesis of colorectal cancer. A deregulation of p53 protein function may be associated with increased neovascularization and aggressive tumour growth. In vitro studies have shown that these genetic alterations cause a loss of wild-type p53-induced anti-angiogenetic control and could possibly induce expression of the neoangiogenic vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Therefore, this in vivo study was performed to assess p53 mutations, i.e. hot spots in exons 4-9, in primary colorectal cancers and in corresponding liver metastases in order to test whether there is an association between p53 mutated tumours with increased microvessel density (MVD) and VEGF overexpression. Twenty-two tissue samples taken from primary colorectal cancers and the corresponding liver metastases were immediately snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen and fixed in formaldehyde. After DNA extraction exons 4-9 were amplified and directly sequenced. Cryostat sections were stained immunohistochemically using antibodies against VEGF, CD34, and p53 protein. A modified semiquantitative Weidner score and interactive computerized image analysis was used to assess MVD. Overexpression of immunohistochemically detected p53 protein was found in 7 of the 11 primary tumours and liver metastases (64%). Sequencing showed 3 out of 11 primary tumours (27%) and 5 out of 11 liver metastases (46%) to have p53 point or frameshift mutations; these samples tested immunohistochemically positive for p53 protein. Two p53 mutations in samples of liver metastases were not detectable in the corresponding primaries. We detected one frameshift mutation in exon 4 that has not yet been described in the literature. Tumour samples with p53 mutations and increased VEGF immunoreactivity were associated with higher MVD (p<0.01 and p<0.05, respectively). However, there was no association detected immunohistochemically between p53 and MVD as well as p53 mutations and VEGF overexpression. Our data demonstrate specific genetic alterations in the coding regions of p53 suppressor gene in both primary colorectal cancers and corresponding liver metastases, these alterations are associated with an increase in MVD, but not in VEGF overexpression. In addition, a novel frameshift mutation in both colorectal cancer and metastasis is described.     

Biological markers as a predictor for response and prognosis of unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with irinotecan and cisplatin

BACKGROUND: Previously we reported that immunohistochemical examination of p53, bcl-2, glutathione S-transferase-pi (GST-pi), thymidylate synthase (TS) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in biopsy samples was a useful method for predicting clinical outcome of gastric cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil and cisplatin. Here, we investigated if these biological markers can predict chemoresponse and survival of unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with irinotecan and cisplatin. METHODS: The subjects were 55 unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with irinotecan (70 mg/m(2), Days 1 and 15) and cisplatin (80 mg/m(2), Day 1). Expression of p53, bcl-2, VEGF was examined immunohistochemically in biopsy samples. RESULTS: The overall response rate and the median survival time were 55% (30/55) and 321 days, respectively. Thirty patients with intestinal-type adenocarcinoma survived longer than 25 patients with diffuse-type (median survival time: 446, 259 days, P = 0.013). The favorable phenotypes for chemoresponse were p53-negative, bcl-2-negative and VEGF-positive, which were in accordance with previous findings. The response rate was significantly correlated with the total number of these favorable phenotypes (P = 0.043). The 39 patients having 2 or 3 favorable phenotypes (p53-negative, bcl-2-negative and VEGF-positive) survived longer than the remaining 16 patients (median survival time: 444, 259 days, P = 0.021). In the Cox model, the number of the favorable phenotypes showed a tendency to correlate with survival after adjustment for potentially prognostic factors such as histological type or performance status (P = 0.070). CONCLUSIONS: Immunohistochemical examination of biological markers may be useful in predicting the clinical outcome of unresectable gastric cancer patients treated with irinotecan and cisplatin.     

肝细胞癌p53和VEGF的表达及其与肿瘤血管形成的关系

目的 :研究p5 3和血管内皮生长因子 (vascularendothelialgrowthfactor ,VEGF)的表达和肿瘤微血管密度 (microvesseldensity ,MVD)测定在人肝细胞癌 (HCC)中的意义。方法 :采用免疫组织化学方法 ,检测 5 0例HCC患者手术切除标本p5 3和VEGF的表达 ,并用抗CD3 4 抗体标记癌组织血管内皮细胞 ,计算MVD。结果 :p5 3、VEGF总阳性表达率分别为 5 4 0 % (2 7 5 0 )和 76 0 % (38 5 0 ) ,p5 3、VEGF的表达和MVD均与HCC组织病理分级呈正相关 ,P <0 0 5。p5 3和VEGF的阳性表达符合率为 74 % (37 5 0 ) ,两者的表达呈相关性 ,P <0 0 5。p5 3阳性和VEGF阳性的癌组织MVD分别为 178± 6 2和 175±5 9 ,而相应的阴性组分别为 12 5± 5 1和 131± 6 1,两者差异有显著意义 ,P <0 0 5。p5 3、VEGF表达均为阳性者 ,MVD为 176± 6 3;p5 3、VEGF的表达均为阴性者 ,MVD为 12 3± 5 2 ;两者差异有显著意义 ,P <0 0 5。结论 :1)p5 3、VEGF的表达以及MVD的测定可作为判断HCC恶性潜能的重要生物学指标 ;2 )p5 3、VEGF的表达对肿瘤血管形成可能起重要作用 ,联合检测p5 3、VEGF的表达对了解肿瘤血管形成的机制有一定意义     

Correlation of p53 and bcl-2 expression with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), microvessel density (MVD) and clinico-pathological features in colon cancer

This study was designed to elucidate the possible relationship between tumour related genes and angiogenesis in colon cancer. The protein expression of p53, bcl-2, Von Willebrand factor and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were analysed by immunohistochemistry in 57 paraffin-embedded colon cancer. The results showed that microvessel density (MVD) was lower in VEGF negative tumours than in VEGF positive ones (P<0.0001). MVD and VEGF in p53 negative tumours were significantly lower than in p53 positive tumours (respectively, P=0.003 and P<0.0001). Moreover, positive correlations were recorded between VEGF expression and MVD, and bcl-2 expression (respectively, P<0.0001 and P=0.009). Our data confirm the central role of VEGF in angiogenesis and suggest direct correlations among p53, bcl-2 and VEGF expression in colon cancer.     

Clinical significance of vascular endothelial growth factor expression in gastric cancer

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is an angiogenic factor in human cancer tissue. To clarify the clinical significance of this factor, we investigated the VEGF expression in early and advanced gastric cancer. This study included analysis of data on 243 patients with gastric cancer, including 118 in the early stage and 125 in the advanced stage. VEGF was immunohistochemically stained. Of 243 tumors, 102 (42%) were VEGF-positive. The VEGF-positive gastric cancers were larger, more invasive, and classified in the more advanced stage than VEGF negative ones. Patients with VEGF-positive cancers had significantly lower survival rates than did those with negative ones, both in early and advanced stages (P < 0.05, P < 0.01, respectively). The VEGF-positive isolates had more hematogenous metastases than VEGF-negative ones. Multivariate analysis revealed VEGF to be an independent prognostic factor and independent risk factor for liver metastasis. The VEGF expression in cancer cells can serve as a pertinent prognostic indicator both in early and advanced gastric cancer.     

In oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma vascular endothelial growth factor is associated with p53 mutation, advanced stage and poor prognosis.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) affects malignant tumours by promoting angiogenesis. The tumour-suppressor gene p53 has been thought to regulate VEGF. We investigated the effect of VEGF on oesophageal carcinoma and the connection between VEGF and p53. One hundred and nine resected oesophageal squamous cell carcinomas were examined. VEGF expression was analysed by immunohistochemical staining. Sixty-five tumours (59.6%, 65 out of 109) were classified as VEGF positive. A significant correlation was found between the VEGF expression and both the depth of invasion (P = 0.0001) and lymph node metastasis (P < 0.0001). With regard to p53, we compared the expression of VEGF with the mutation of p53, examined using polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) and direct sequencing in tumour samples obtained from 36 patients who we have reported previously. The VEGF expression was significantly correlated to p53 mutation (P = 0.0291). To evaluate the angiogenesis, microvascular density (MVD) was counted, and endothelial cells were stained immunohistochemically using anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody against 29 cases with invasion limited to the submucosal layer. The average MVD had a tendency to correlate to VEGF expression (P = 0.1626). The prognoses of patients with VEGF-positive primary tumours were significantly worse than for those with VEGF-negative primary tumours (P = 0.0077). We have assumed that VEGF contributes to aggressive characteristics in oesophageal carcinomas and that VEGF expression might be affected by p53 status.     

结肠癌组织中 Bmi －1和 p53的表达及意义

目的：探析结肠癌组织中 Bmi －1和 p53的表达情况及意义。方法：采用免疫组织化学 SP 法对60例结肠癌及其相应癌旁组织中 Bmi －1和 p53的蛋白表达情况进行检测。结果：结肠癌组织中 Bmi －1阳性表达34例（阳性率为56．7％）,相应癌旁结肠组织中阳性表达2例（3．33％）,结肠癌组织中 p53阳性表达44例（阳性率为73．3％）,相应癌旁组织中无阳性表达（0％）,结肠癌与正常组织中 Bmi －1和 p53表达率差异具有统计学意义（P ＜0．05）;Bmi －1和 p53的表达与患者的一般资料如年龄、性别和浸润深度方面关联不大（P＞0．05）,而与分化程度、有无淋巴结转移（P ＜0．05）及 Duke＇s 分期（P ＜0．01）方面关联明显。同时,Bmi －1和 p53的表达呈显著正相关（r ＝0．461,P ＜0．01）。结论：Bmi －1和 p53的表达情况可作为评估结肠癌预后的有效指标,Bmi －1和 p53可能成为预测结肠癌高度转移的新分子标志物。     

Comparative study of various biological parameters,including expression of survivin,between primary and metastatic human colonic adenocarcinomas

BACKGROUND: Hepatic metastasis of colorectal carcinomas is the most important factor in prognosis. We examined the level of apoptosis and proliferation, the expression of survivin, bcl-2, p53 and intratumoral microvessel density (IMVD) in paired tissue specimens of primary human colon tumors and hepatic metastases and determined the molecular biological changes of the tumor cells in liver metastasis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We examined, immunohistochemically, the level of apoptosis and proliferation, the expression of survivin, bcl-2 p53 and intratumoral microvessel density in 37 paired tissue specimens of primary colon tumors and hepatic metastases. RESULTS: The mean apoptotic index (AI) was 0.60+/-0.45 for the primary colon tumors and 1.22+/-0.73 for the hepatic metastases. The mean proliferative index (PI) was 37.4+/-15.8 for the primary colon tumors and 29.4+/-14.1 for the hepatic metastases. Significantly higher AI and lower PI were observed in the hepatic metastases as compared to the primary colon tumor (p<0.0001 and p=0.0049, respectively). The mean-weighted survivin score was 4.32+/-2.78 for primary colon carcinomas, and 1.54+/-1.77 for the hepatic metastases. The mean-weighted bcl-2 score was 2.62+/-2.62 for the primary colon carcinomas and 0.81+/-1.56 for the hepatic metastases. There were significantly decreased scores of immunostaining for both survivin and bcl-2 in the hepatic metastases as compared to the primary carcinomas (p<0.0001 and p<0.0002, respectively). Nuclear accumulation of p53 was demonstrated in 25 cases (67.6%) of the primary carcinomas and 24.cases (64.9%) of the hepatic metastases, without significant differences. The IMVD was 89.9+/-37.5 for primary colon tumors, while it was 55.1+/-32.5 for hepatic metastases. A statistically significant decrease in the IMVD was observed in the hepatic metastases as compared to the primary colon tumors (p<0.0001). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the tissue kinetics of colorectal carcinoma cells in hepatic metastases are biologically quite different from those of primary tumors, probably because of co-operative effects of both internal (AI, survivin, bcl-2) and external (IMVD) regulation factors.     

p53, vessel count,and vascular endothelial growth factor expression in human colon cancer

We previously demonstrated an association between vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), vessel counts and metastasis in human colon cancer specimens. Mutant p53 has been implicated in the regulation of angiogenesis. Immuno-histochemical detection of p53 protein has been associated with p53 gene mutations. We sought to determine a correlation between p53 protein detection (i.e., mutant p53), VEGF expression and vessel counts in human colon cancer. Surgical specimens from 93 patients with colon cancer were stained immuno-histochemically for p53, VEGF and factor VIII. Vessel counts were greater in metastatic tumors than in non-metastatic tumors and adenomas, and greater in non-metastatic tumors than in adenomas. Vessel counts were highest in tumors with the highest VEGF expression. Vessel counts and VEGF expression were greater in p53-positive tumors than in p53-negative tumors. p53 expression correlated with both VEGF expression and vessel count. The association of p53 expression with VEGF and vessel count suggests that the poor prognosis associated with p53 mutations may be due, in part, to the role of mutant p53 in promoting angiogenesis. Int. J. Cancer (Pred. Oncol.) 79:34–38, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Molecular detection of neoplastic cells in lymph nodes of metastatic colorectal cancer patients predicts recurrence.

Disseminated disease, especially to the liver, constitutes the major risk of recurrence for colorectal cancer patients. However, successful resection can still be achieved in 25-35% of colorectal cancer patients with isolated metastases. To evaluate the clinical value of occult micrometastatic disease detection in lymph nodes, we tested genetic (K-ras and p53 gene mutations) and epigenetic (p16 promoter hypermethylation) molecular markers in the perihepatic lymph nodes from colorectal cancer patients with isolated liver metastases. DNA was extracted from 21 paraffin-embedded liver metastases and 80 lymph nodes from 21 colorectal cancer patients. K-ras and p53 gene mutations were identified in DNA from liver metastases by PCR amplification followed by cycle sequencing. A sensitive oligonucleotide-mediated mismatch ligation assay was used to search for the presence of K-ras and p53 mutations to detect occult disease in 68 lymph nodes from tumors positive for these gene mutations. Promoter hypermethylation at the p16 tumor suppressor gene was examined in both liver lesions and lymph nodes by methylation-specific PCR. Sixteen of the 21 (76%) liver metastases harbored either gene point mutations or p16 promoter hypermethylation. Twelve of the 68 lymph nodes were positive for tumor cells by molecular evaluation and negative for tumor cells by histopathology and cytokeratin immunohistochemistry, whereas none were positive for tumor cells by histopathology or negative for tumor cells by molecular analysis (P = 0.0005, McNemar's test). Moreover, in three patients with lymph nodes that were histologically negative at all sites, molecular screening detected tumor DNA at one or more lymph nodes. Survival analysis showed a median survival of 1056 days for patients without evidence of lymph node involvement by molecular analysis and 165 days for patients with positive lymph nodes by this approach (P = 0.0005). These results indicate that lymph node metastasis screening in colorectal cancer patients by molecular-based techniques increases the sensitivity of tumor cell detection and can be a good predictor of recurrence in colorectal cancer patients with resectable liver metastases.     

Combined analysis of VEGF and EGFR predicts complete tumour response in rectal cancer treated with preoperative radiotherapy

The ability to predict complete pathologic response or sensitivity to radiation before treatment would have a significant impact on the selection of patients for preoperative radiotherapy or chemo-radiation therapy schedules. The aim of this study was to determine the value of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), p53, Bcl-2 and apoptosis protease-activating factor-1 (APAF-1) as predictors of complete pathologic tumour regression in patients undergoing preoperative radiotherapy for advanced rectal cancer. Pretreatment tumour biopsies from predominantly cT3 patients undergoing a preoperative high-dose-rate brachytherapy protocol were immunostained for EGFR, VEGF, p53, Bcl-2 and APAF-1. Immunoreactivity was evaluated by three pathologists. Cut-off scores for tumour marker positivity were obtained by receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis. The association of marker expression with complete pathologic response was analysed in univariate and multivariable analysis. Multi-marker phenotypes of the independent protein markers were evaluated. In multivariable analysis, loss of VEGF (P-value=0.009; odds ratio (OR) (95% CI)=0.24 (0.08-0.69)) and positive EGFR (P-value=0.01; OR (95% CI)=3.82 (1.37-10.6)) both demonstrated independent predictive value for complete pathologic response. The odds of complete response were 12.8 for the multi-marker combination of VEGF-negative and EGFR-positive tumours. Of the 34 EGFR-negative- and VEGF-positive cases, 32 (94.1%) had no complete pathologic response. The combined analysis of VEGF and EGFR is predictive of complete pathologic response in patients undergoing preoperative radiotherapy. In addition, the findings of this study have identified a subgroup of simultaneous EGFR-negative and VEGF-positive patients who are highly resistant to radiotherapy and should perhaps be considered candidates for innovative neoadjuvant combined modalities.     

VEGF expression in the colorectal adenoma-carcinoma sequence

Angiogenesis is essential for tumor growth and metastasis. It is controlled by multiple factors, one of the most important being vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). VEGF and p53 expression were evaluated in 16 hyperplastic polyps, 35 solitary tubular and tubulovillous adenomas, and 47 cases of sporadic colorectal carcinomas arising on the basis of preexisting adenomas, using immunohistochemistry. In parallel, angiogenesis was assessed by the Chalkley score (CS) method. VEGF positivity was detected in 19/47 carcinoma cases (40%). In the respective adenomatous part of the tumor, VEGF positivity was detected in 11/47 cases (23%). Carcinomas arising from VEGF-positive adenomas were mostly VEGF positive (10/11, 91%), whereas in 28/36 (78%) carcinomas arising from VEGF-negative adenomas VEGF expression was not detected. CS was higher in VEGF-positive compared with VEGF-negative carcinomas (9.1 +/- 1.8 and 7.8 +/- 2.3, respectively, p < 0.05), whereas there was no statistically significant difference between the CS in the VEGF-negative and VEGF-positive adenomatous part of the tumor (3.3 +/- 1.8 and 4.3 +/- 2.3, respectively). Nuclear p53 positivity was detected in 26/47 (55%) cases in the cancerous part and in 14/47 (29%) cases in the adenomatous part of the tissue, and no significant correlation with VEGF expression was observed. We conclude that VEGF associates with angiogenesis in colorectal cancer, and its pattern of expression in adenomas is maintained in the arising carcinomas. Further investigation is warranted to clarify whether these findings could be used as indicators of prognosis in screening programs or in patients with limited stage disease where the usefulness of adjuvant therapies with either cytotoxic drugs or inhibitors of angiogenesis is still unclear.     

卵巢上皮癌组织微血管密度及血管形成相关分子的检测及预后价值

目的 探讨卵巢上皮癌组织微血管密度(MVD)、血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)、血小板反应素1(TSP1)和p53蛋白表达与患者预后的关系.方法 采用免疫组化法检测57例原发性卵巢上皮癌组织中VEGF、TSP1和p53蛋白的表达情况,用CD34免疫染色后计数MVD.对VEGF、TSP1、p53蛋白和MVD与患者复发及生存时间的关系进行回顾性分析.结果卵巢上皮癌组织中VEGF、TSP1和p53蛋白表达阳性率分别为70.2%(40/57)、47.4%(27/57)和61.4%(35/57),MVD为30.3±8.5,MVD、VEGF和TSP1与复发相关(P值分别为0.030、0.025和0.026).高MVD、VEGF和p53蛋白阳性患者的中位生存时间短于低MVD、VEGF和p53蛋白阴性者(P值分别为0.0187,0.010和0.005),MVD、VEGF和p53蛋白是影响预后的危险因素.TSP1是影响患者预后的保护因素,其阳性患者的中位生存时间长于阴性患者(P=0.042).多因素分析表明,MVD和p53蛋白是影响卵巢上皮癌预后的独立因素(P值分别为0.018和0.009).结论 VEGF、TSP1和p53蛋白可能参与了卵巢上皮癌的血管形成,MVD和p53是影响卵巢上皮癌预后的独立因素.     

Proliferation rate, hormone receptor status and p53 expression in skeletal metastasis of breast carcinoma

Immunohistochemistry was used to analyze ER, PgR, MIB, and p53 of primary breast carcinomas and their skeletal metastases in 43 patients operated on for 47 pathological fractures. Femoral lesions predominated (24), followed by metastases to the spine (13). The median survival time from diagnosis of the primary breast carcinoma was 5.5 (0.5-20) years and from pathological fracture 5 (0-76) months. No clinical characteristics of the primary tumor were prognostic for survival after pathological fracture. Thirty of 47 tissue specimens from skeletal metastases were ER positive and 17 negative. Fourteen of 47 tissue specimens from skeletal metastasis were positive for PgR. Forty-five of the 47 metastases could be evaluated for p53 positivity and 43 tumors showed nuclear staining of varying intensity. In a majority of the cases there was a good correlation between ER, PgR and p53 in the primary tumors and their corresponding metastases. p53 negative primary tumors were associated with longer survival from diagnosis, but also found after pathological fracture. No correlation was observed between ER index or MIB-1 in the skeletal metastases and postoperative survival. PgR positivity in skeletal metastases was associated with longer survival after pathological fracture. This study shows that biological markers such as PgR and p53 provide prognostic information after pathological fracture. The findings should be regarded with caution as there are many confounding factors such as prior chemo- and radiotherapy. Nevertheless, the approach, to gather prognostic data at the time of pathological fracture, warrants further study as expected survival time is paramount in the choice of surgical treatment.     

Analysis of PTEN,VEGF, HER2 and P53 Status in Determining Colorectal Cancer Benefit from Bevacizumab Therapy

Background: No factor has thus far been identified to predict the efficacy of bevacizumab therapy forcolorectal cancer. We here therefore studied PTEN, VEGF, HER2 and p53 by immunohistochemistry as possibleprognostic and predictive factors. Materials and Methods: A total of 34 retrospectively collected tumor sampleswere evaluated, all from patients receiving bevacizumab-based regimens. VEGF-A, PTEN, HER2, p53 wereassessed and data was compared with clinicopathologic characteristics of patients and the bevacizumab responserate. Results: In this study, the median age of the 34 metastatic colorectal cancer patients was 55.5 (24-75),twelve (35.3%) being women and 22 (64.7%) men. PTEN, VEGF, HER2, p53 expressions were compared withbevacizumab response and other chacteristics of disease. Statistical significant differences were not found betweenbevacizumab response rates and different expression levels of VEGF, PTEN, HER2 and p53 (respectively p=0.256,p=0.832, p=0.189, p=0.131). However, a survival difference was noted in the VEGF expression negative group(median OS:55 months; 95%CI, 22-88 months) (p=0.01). There was no statistically significant OS differencein other groups (PTEN p=0.6, HER2 p=0.189, p53 p=0.13). Conclusions: We did not find any predictive factorfor BV therapy in our study. VEGF negative expression could be an important prognostic factor in metastaticcolorectal carcinoma.     

High thymidylate synthase expression in colorectal cancer with microsatellite instability: implications for chemotherapeutic strategies.

Colon cancers displaying microsatellite instability (MSI) are clinically less aggressive. Based on in vitro studies and recent clinical data, cancers displaying MSI do not respond to 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). The reasons why MSI tumors are clinically less aggressive and do not respond to 5-FU-based therapies have not been fully elucidated. PURPOSE: We investigated biomolecular markers in an attempt to explain the different clinical behavior and chemotherapeutic responses of MSI and non-MSI colon cancers. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: One hundred ninety-two sporadic colon cancers were tested for MSI with five mononucleotide markers and methylation of the hMLH1 promoter. Slides were stained for thymidylate synthase (TS), p53, MDM2, p21(WAF1/CIP1), beta-catenin, vascular endothelial growth factor, hMLH1, hMSH2, and hMSH6. Tumors were regarded as having wild-type, functional p53 (Fp53) if reduced expression of p53 and positive MDM2 and p21(WAF1/CIP1) expressions were found. RESULTS: Of the cases, 12.5% were MSI-H (at least two markers mutated). Of MSI-H cases, 83.3% were characterized by a complete loss of at least one of the mismatch repair proteins, in particular loss of hMLH1 by promoter hypermethylation. MSI-H colon cancers showed higher expression of TS compared with MSS (no mutated markers)/MSI-L (one mutated marker) colon cancers (66.6% for MSI-H versus 14.8% MSS/MSI-L; P < 0.0001); 20.8% of MSI-H cases showed high expression of the vascular endothelial growth factor, compared with 45.8% MSS/MSI-L colon cancers (P = 0.0005); 45.8% MSI-H cases had Fp53 compared 11.9% MSS/MSI-L cases (P < 0.0001). CONCLUSIONS: About 12% of colon cancers display MSI mostly due to lack of hMLH1 resulting from promoter hypermethylation. These tumors have high expression of TS and retain fully functional p53 system. Thus, these data suggest why sporadic hMLH1-defective colon cancers often do not respond to 5-FU.