Clinicopathologic study of the expression of p16, p27 and Ki-67 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors

Purpose To investigate the correlation between clinical prognosis and expression of p16, p27 and Ki-67 in gastrointestinal stromal tumors(GISTs). Methods The cases were grouped into benign, borderline and malignance according to the size, mitosis aggression and metastases by microscopy. p16, p27 and Ki-67 were examined in every group by immunohistochemical method and the difference among those groups was statisticed and analyzed respectively. Results p16 protein, p27 labeling index(p27 LI) and Ki-67 labeling index(Ki-67 LI) were showed 48%,26% and 24% positive in respective. The expression of p16 protein was no different among benign , borderline ,or maligant GISTs. While there was a high predictive value in the lower expression of p16 protein in groups of benign and borderline cases. Furthermore, Low p27 LI and high Ki-67 LI was related to a aggressive behavior. Conclusions The evalution of expression of p16, p27 and Ki-67 in GISTs is helpful in prognoses.