THE EXPRESSION OF MUTANT p53 AND C-ERBB-2 ONCOPROTEINS IN TUMOR,PERITUMOR AND NORMAL LIVER TISSUE

To study the expression of p53 and c-erbB-2 oncoproteins in primary hepatiocarcinoma (PHC). Methods The expression of c-erbB-2 genc and mutant p53 in tumor cells and peritumor tissues of 45 cases of PHC and normal liver tissues were detected by means of immunohistochemistry LSAB method. Results The positive frequency of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein expression was 71.1%, 21.4%(6/28) and 11.7%(2/17) in PHC, cirrhotic and non-cirthotic liver tissues surrounding the PHC, respectively. The detected rate of p53 protein expression was 46.7%,14.3%(4/28)and 0%(0/17) in PHC, cirrhotic and non-cirrhotic tissues of peritumor regions, respectively. Both of c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression were negative in normal liver tissues. The level of the expression of both c-erbB-2 and p53 proteins in PHC showed some relationship to the pathological grades and the histopathologic types of PHC. The c-erbB-2 expression was closely correlated to the p53 protein expression in PHC(P0.005). Conclusions The results suggest that the expression of both gene proteins occurr independently or jointly in PHC tumor calls, indicating that c-erbB-2 and p53 genes play an important role in the carcinogenesis and progression of PHC.