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Increased mitotic activity as a negative prognostic indicator in pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. Case report.

Pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma is a recently characterized neoplasm with a favorable prognosis despite aggressive histological features. The authors report a case of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma that recurred 4 years after complete gross resection. The original tumor exhibited histological features characteristic of this neoplasm, but up to 4 mitoses/10 high-power fields were present focally. The recurrent tumor contained small foci of classical pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma, but consisted predominantly of glioblastoma multiforme. Transitional zones contained nests of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-immunopositive cells surrounded by delicate collagenous and reticulin-rich septa. Electron microscopy of the transitional zone showed continuous basal lamina investing cells containing bundles of intermediate filaments. These were GFAP-positive by immunogold electron microscopy, confirming the astrocytic nature of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma. This example illustrates the capacity of this tumor to evolve into glioblastoma. The indolent clinical behavior of most pleomorphic xanthoastrocytomas is evident from a literature review, which confirms the prolonged survival of many patients after onset of symptoms. Completeness of excision, subjectively assessed at surgery, did not influence the risk of recurrence or survival up to 10 years after initial resection. Postoperative radiotherapy did not improve survival, but may reduce the probability of recurrence; more studies are needed to corroborate this finding. The data compiled herein support the designation of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma as a distinct astrocytic neoplasm with a favorable prognosis. An increased mitotic rate has not previously been correlated with a worse outcome, and should not be used to exclude this diagnosis. However, anaplastic transformation of pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma confers a much worse prognosis, and this case suggests that increased mitotic activity may be a negative prognostic indicator since it may herald subsequent anaplastic transformation.

Astrocytoma↗

Amplification of c-erbB2 oncogene: a major prognostic indicator in uterine serous papillary carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of the epidermal growth factor type II receptor HER-2/neu has been associated with resistance to chemotherapy and poor survival in several human tumors. In the current study, the authors have determined the frequency and clinical significance of HER-2/neu gene amplification in uterine serous papillary endometrial carcinoma (USPC), a highly aggressive variant of endometrial carcinoma. METHODS: Fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) assay was used to analyze gene amplification in paraffin blocks from 30 women harboring Stage IA-IV USPC treated at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (Little Rock, AR) from 1997 to 2004. Chromosome 17 polysomy status by FISH was also assessed in all specimens. USPC patient survival in relation to HER-2/neu gene amplification was analyzed using Kaplan-Meier curves in conjunction with the log-rank test. RESULTS: Amplification of the HER-2/neu gene by FISH was observed in 14 of the 30 (47%) cases. Heterogeneity was noted in 4 of 14 cases in the amplification of the HER-2/neu gene within the same tumor samples with pockets of amplified tumor cells amidst nonamplified tumor cells. Patients with USPC harboring tumors with HER-2/neu gene amplification had a significantly shorter survival time from diagnosis to disease-related death when compared with FISH-negative patients (P = 0.0008). African-American (AA) patients were found to have a poorer prognosis compared with Caucasian (C) women (P = 0.01) and to harbor USPC with significantly higher levels of HER-2/neu gene amplification (P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: HER-2/neu gene amplification in USPC was found to be an important prognostic indicator for poor outcome that occurs more frequently in AA when compared with C patients. Determination of HER-2/neu gene amplification may guide clinical management of patients with USPC and may have important implications for the implementation of novel treatment strategies.

Age Factors↗

Analysis of cathepsin D in human breast cancer: usefulness of the processed 31 kDa active form of the enzyme as a prognostic indicator in node-negative and node-positive patients.

The relative amounts of the precursor (52 kDa) and processed (31,27 kDa) forms of cathepsin D have been analyzed by Western blotting in biopsied breast tissue cytosols from 134 lesions from invasive breast cancer patients, 24 lesions from patients with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), 227 lesions from benign breast disease patients, and 28 lesions from normal control subjects. The mean relative percentage amount of the 31 kDa form was significantly increased (p < 0.001) in the invasive breast cancer group compared to the other three groups. In addition, the mean relative percentage amount of the 31 kDa form was significantly increased (p < 0.05) in node-positive compared to node-negative breast cancer patients. In the benign breast disease group, patients with proliferative-type disease had a significantly increased (p = 0.02) mean relative percentage amount of the 31 kDa form of cathepsin D compared to patients with nonproliferative-type disease. Invasive breast cancer patients were followed for up to 75 months to determine if the relative percentage amount of the 31 kDa form of cathepsin D was predictive of disease-free and overall survival. Although the amount of the 31 kDa form was not predictive of disease-free survival, patients in the 'high' 31 kDa group (> 18%) were significantly (p < 0.05) more likely to die than patients in the 'low' 31 kDa group (< or = 18%). The 12 patients who died were all node-positive and in the high 31 kDa group. It thus appears that the relative amount of the processed, active 31 kDa form of cathepsin D is a useful prognostic indicator, at least in node-positive breast cancer patients.

Adult↗

Resected adenocarcinoma of the pancreas-616 patients: results, outcomes, and prognostic indicators.

This large-volume, single-institution review examines factors influencing long-term survival after resection in patients with adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, uncinate process, body, or tail of the pancreas. Between January 1984 and July 1999 inclusive, 616 patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas underwent surgical resection. A retrospective analysis of a prospectively collected database was performed. Both univariate and multivariate models were used to determine the factors influencing survival. Of the 616 patients, 526 (85%) underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy for adenocarcinoma of the head, neck, or uncinate process of the pancreas, 52 (9%) underwent distal pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma of the body or tail, and 38 (6%) underwent total pancreatectomy for adenocarcinoma extensively involving the gland. The mean age of the patients was 64.3 years, with 54% being male and 91% being white. The overall perioperative mortality rate was 2.3%, whereas the incidence of postoperative complications was 30%. The median postoperative length of stay was 11 days. The mean tumor diameter was 3.2 cm, with 72% of patients having positive lymph nodes, 30% having positive resection margins, and 36% having poorly differentiated tumors. Patients undergoing distal pancreatectomy for left-sided lesions had larger tumors (4.7 vs. 3.1 cm, P < 0.0001), but fewer node-positive resections (59% vs. 73%, P = 0.03) and fewer poorly differentiated tumors (29% vs. 36%, P < 0.001), as compared to those undergoing pancreaticoduodenectomy for right-sided lesions. The overall survival of the entire cohort was 63% at 1 year and 17% at 5 years, with a median survival of 17 months. For right-sided lesions the 1- and 5-year survival rates were 64% and 17%, respectively, compared to 50% and 15% for left-sided lesions. Factors shown to have favorable independent prognostic significance by multivariate analysis were negative resection margins (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.64, confidence interval [CI] = 0.50 to 0.82, P = 0.0004), tumor diameter less than 3 cm (HR = 0.72, CI = 0.57 to 0.90, P = 0.004), estimated blood loss less than 750 ml (HR = 0.75, CI = 0.58 to 0.96, P = 0.02), well/moderate tumor differentiation (HR = 0.71, CI = 0.56 to 0.90, P = 0.005), and postoperative chemoradiation (HR = 0.50, CI = 0.39 to 0.64, P < 0.0001). Tumor location in head, neck, or uncinate process approached significance in the final multivariate model (HR = 0.60, CI = 0.35 to 1.0, P = 0.06). Pancreatic resection remains the only hope for long-term survival in patients with adenocarcinoma of the pancreas. Completeness of resection and tumor characteristics including tumor size and degree of differentiation are important independent prognostic indicators. Adjuvant chemoradiation is a strong predictor of outcome and likely decreases the independent significance of tumor location and nodal status.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Prognostic indices for intra-hospital mortality in Nigerian diabetic NIDDM patients. Role of gender and hypertension.

Hypertension and diabetes mellitus are independently associated with a high rate of target organ complications, which is particularly accentuated in the Negroid race. The aims of this study were to evaluate the mortality associated with diabetes mellitus and concurrent hypertension and diabetes mellitus in indigenous Africans, and to identify and assess the factors that are predictive of intra-hospital mortality in Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (NIDDM) diabetic Nigerians. The subsequent impact of the modification of these risk factors was also evaluated. A prospective study of 51 hypertensive-diabetic (Non-Insulin Dependent Diabetics, NIDDM) Nigerians (32 males, 19 females) over a 15-month period, from 1996 to 1997 was undertaken. The mean admission blood pressures were 170/102+/-35/22 mm Hg, with a body mass index (BMI) of 25.4+/-10.2 kg/m(2). A total of 54 normotensive (BP<130/85 mm Hg)-NIDDM diabetic Nigerians (30 men, 24 women), who were concurrently admitted in the hospital, were compared to the hypertensive-NIDDM. The total mortality of all the NIDDM diabetics, as well as the mortality rates in normotensives and hypertensive-diabetics, were computed. The causes of death and associated complications were noted. Predictive indices of intrahospital mortality were statistically evaluated by comparison of proportions, chi(2) test, Fischer's exact test, logistic regression, and analysis of variance (ANOVA).Over-all mortality rate among all the diabetics (both normotensive and hypertensive) was 26.6% (28/105), which was significantly higher than the crude death rate on the Internal Medicine service of 17.8% (P=0.006) or the non-obstetric crude death rate in the hospital of 10.96% (P=0.001) Among the hypertensive-NIDDM patients (n=51) the mortality rate was 31.4% (16 deaths/51 patients). This was slightly higher than the value of 22.2% (12 deaths/54 patients) seen in normotensive -NIDDM patients. The mortality rate among the male diabetics (23/63 patients) 46.6% was significantly higher than female mortality rate of 11.6% (5/43). The 95% Confidence interval for the difference in mortality rates being 16.9% to 53.3% (P<0.0001, z=3.57). The impact of gender remained significant by the chi(2) test, chi(2)=7.17, P=0.007. 50% of the deaths in hypertensive-diabetics had associated stroke (8/16), while none of the 12 deaths among the normotensive-diabetics was stroke-related (P=0.008, Fisher's exact test). The case fatality rate for stroke in hypertensive-NIDDM men (7/7.9) was significantly greater than in hypertensive-NIDDM women (1.0/7) (P=0.04,by Fisher's exact test). Male gender, presence of Hyperosmolar Non-Ketotic Coma (HONK) (P<0. 05), associated stroke (P<0.01) and a Glasgow coma < or =10 (P<0.01) were found to be poor prognostic indices for mortality in hypertensive-NIDDM. Aggressive anti-platelet, (aspirin) anti-hypertensive, and strict glycemic control, instituted early and intensively, especially in male hypertensive-NIDDM Nigerians have resulted in reduction in the mortality rates from 26.6% in 1997 to 12.6% in 1999 [P=0.05, 95% CI -26.9% to -1.3%]. The prognosis in 1999 of hospitalized African diabetics is still dismal. Hypertensive-NIDDM represents a higher risk group for intra-hospital mortality in black Africans. Male patients appear to have significantly (P<0.001) enhanced risk, especially with thrombotic/stroke-related deaths (P<0.01). However, intervention measures can reduce the mortality rate considerably, even in developing countries. The mechanisms of the apparent male mortality excess require elucidation.

Adult↗

Prognostic indicators in hormone refractory prostate cancer.

Prognostic factors in hormone refractory prostate cancer currently are of limited use to clinicians. Although studies have identified several factors that predict for poor survival in patients, most are either retrospective, or nonrandomized. Therefore, large prospective, randomized trials are needed to validate the significance of these factors. In addition, these indicators are largely descriptive of the patients' condition or the extent of disease. As more treatment options are developed for these patients, functionally relevant and prognostic molecular markers are needed to direct their care.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

p53 mutation found to be a significant prognostic indicator in distal colorectal cancer.

There has been few reports describing that the prognostic significance of p53 alteration in colorectal tumors depended on the site of origin. Therefore, in this study, we examined whether there is a valid association between the p53 alterations and the prognosis of colorectal cancer patients, especially distal colorectal cancer cases. Tumor samples were collected from 110 patients resected for colorectal cancer between 1989 and 1997. The entire coding region of the p53 gene was analyzed by automated direct sequencing. In addition, the DO-7 monoclonal antibody was used in the immunohistochemical (IHC) assessments. By the Cox univariate analyses in all tumors, Dukes' stage, lymph node metastasis, liver metastasis, p53 mutation and p53 protein overexpression were significant predictors of survival. The cases without p53 mutation showed significantly improved prognosis compared to the cases with p53 mutation (p = 0.0085). In distal tumors, Dukes' stage, liver metastasis, p53 mutation and p53 protein overexpression were significant predictors of survival. Multivariate analysis of all tumors, p53 mutation and liver metastasis were independent indicators of poor survival (p = 0.0223 for p53 mutation, p = 0.0254 for liver metastasis). Also in distal tumors, p53 mutation was an independent indicator (p = 0.0011). Furthermore, the relative risk associated with p53 mutation in distal tumors was much higher than that in all tumors (8.260 vs. 1.796). However, p53 protein overexpression was not an independent indicator of survival in all tumors as well as distal tumors (p = 0.1918 in all tumors, p = 0.0607 in distal tumors). In proximal tumors, p53 mutation was not an independent indicator (p = 0.6673). We think that p53 mutation is a very useful prognostic indicator when distal colorectal cancers are considered.

Aged↗

Plasma prekallikrein as a prognostic indicator in chronic liver insufficiency.

The prognostic value of plasma prekallikrein activity, prothrombin time, and serum albumin with regard to survival in chronic liver insufficiency was evaluated in 21 consecutive patients. Twenty patients had liver cirrhosis, and one patient had malignant liver disease (hepatocellular carcinoma). Eight patients died between 4 and 43 days after the time of blood sampling. These patients had a prekallikrein value less than 0.42. There were no overlapping prekallikrein values between patients who died and patients who survived (overlap index 0; p less than 0.001). Overlap index for prothrombin time was 0.35 (p less than 0.02), and for serum albumin 0.34 (p less than 0.02). In conclusion, plasma prekallikrein seems to indicate whether death is imminent in patients with liver insufficiency due to cirrhosis. Longitudinal studies of prekallikrein activity in different subgroups of patients with chronic and acute liver disease are recommended.

Adult↗

Ultrasonic flow wave pattern as a prognostic indicator in peripheral arterial reconstruction.

A prognostic flowmetric study on 80 reconstructed arteries of the lower extremity was carried out to assess the flow wave patterns detected using a bidirectional doppler flowmeter. In 21 of 80 arteries, changes in the flow wave pattern were noted. For 10 of 21 affected arteries, an immediate arteriography revealed localized stenotic lesions at the distal anastomosis, in a short segment of the implanted autogenous vein graft or at the proximal host artery. Immediate repairs for the lesions were successfully performed by a minor surgery in 8 of 10 cases and the flow wave pattern reverted to normal. Two were not successful as the occlusion was complete before attempting the repair. The remaining 11 are now under conservative management as these patients refused further surgery. The ultrasonically driven flow wave pattern proved to be a useful indicator to assess the patency of the reconstructed peripheral artery to detect possible stenosis and thereby to take proper corrective measures and hence prevent a late occlusion.

Arterial Occlusive Diseases↗

Breast thermography. A prognostic indicator for breast cancer survival.

A prognostic classification for thermographic staging of breast cancer has been applied to a cohort of 70 patients from 5040 screenees enrolled in the Albert Einstein Medical Center (AEMC) Breast Cancer Detection Demonstration Project (BCDDP). A diagnosis of breast cancer was established in each case before December 31, 1980. None of the patients have been lost to follow-up which extended from a minimum of 6 to a maximum of 13 years. Survival rates for those with favorable, equivocal, and poor thermographic factors are compared with each other and with results in accordance with tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification. As of December 31, 1986, there have been 22 (31.4%) deaths, all attributed to breast cancer. The thermographic scoring system clearly shows shorter survival for patients with poor thermographic prognostic factors, 30% surviving at 5 years and only 20% at 10 years compared with overall survival of 80% at 5 years and 70% at 10 years.

Adult↗

Cerebrospinal fluid prognostic indices in experimental pneumococcal meningitis.

The prognostic value of initial and sequential determinations of quantitative bacterial concentrations, leukocytes, glucose, lactate, lactic acid dehydrogenase, and creatine phosphokinase in CSF was examined in rabbits with experimental pneumococcal meningitis while they were receiving equivalent, rapidly bactericidal antibiotic therapy. The following mean CSF variables correlated with death due to meningitis: (1) an early (day 1) high bacterial titer and lactate concentration with simultaneous low leukocyte count and glucose level and (2) late (day 3) elevated lactate and lactic acid dehydrogenase levels and leukocyte count. A high concentration of bacteria inoculated into the CSF and a high plasma glucose level also adversely influenced prognosis. Careful analysis of these variables may identify high-risk patients with pneumococcal meningitis and ultimately may be useful in gauging the therapeutic response.

Animals↗

[The heart rate variability indices and the circadian rhythm of the hourly heart rate: 2 prognostic indicators of mortality and malignant ventricular arrhythmias in patients with a myocardial infarct].

The aim of this study was to investigate the circadian variability of heart rate in acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in identifying patients at high risk for malignant ventricular arrhythmias (MVA) and sudden death within 1 year of the acute event. The investigation was carried out in 43 patients, who underwent 24-hour Holter monitoring within 3 months of AMI. Besides the time domain indexes of heart rate variability (SDNN, SDNN index, pNN50, rMSSD), the circadian rhythm of hourly total beats (HTB) and hourly qualified beats (HQB) has been analyzed by the Cosinor method. The AMI patients with MVA and those with MVA who died within 1 year the acute event showed SDNN, SDNN index and pNN50 values lower than subjects without MVA and survived patients with MVA, respectively; the individuals with AMI at high risk for MVA and for sudden death had an SDNN value < 105 ms and 50 ms, respectively. The circadian rhythm of HTB and HQB was statistically validated only in the group without MVA; patients without the circadian rhythm of HTB and HQB showed a higher mortality rate within 1 year of AMI, and the majority was in the group with MVA. The contemporary evidence of an SDNN value < 105 ms and the lack of HTB and HQB circadian rhythm increased sensitivity for identifying patients with MVA to 75%. On the other hand, the contemporary evidence of an SDNN value < 50 ms and the lack of HTB and HQB circadian rhythm increased sensitivity for identifying patients who died within 1 year of AMI to 100%. In conclusion, the assayed methods seem to be both useful and complementary in identifying patients at high risk for MVA and sudden death within 1 year of AMI.

Aged↗

Histopathologic prognostic indicators for renal cell carcinoma.

Assessment of prognostic markers for renal cell carcinoma (RCC) has produced varying and often conflicting results. There is evidence to indicate that tumor stage is significantly associated with outcome, with extrarenal tumor spread being correlated with poor patient survival. The significance of other staging categories is debated, and the predictive value of tumor size for localized tumors, and infiltration of the renal vein and inferior vena cava is less certain. Numerous studies have investigated the association of tumor grade, based on nuclear or a combination of nuclear and cytoplasmic characteristics, with patient survival for RCC. There is substantial agreement that tumors of high nuclear grade and those with sarcomatoid differentiation are associated with poor patient outcome, whereas the predictive nature of other grading categories is debated. In particular, there is growing evidence to show that in four division grading systems, the upper two grading categories have similar survivals. Of other prognostic parameters tested in various prospective and retrospective studies only assessment of tumor proliferation markers (silver-staining nucleolar organizer regions, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki-67 antigen) have shown any consistency of association with survival. Tumor angiogenesis, nuclear morphometry, tumor suppressor gene, and growth factor expression have, in some studies, been correlated with survival for patients with RCC; however, contrary findings have been reported, and there is no consensus on the prognostic significance of these parameters for RCC.

Biomarkers, Tumor↗

Sentinel and nonsentinel node status in stage IB and II melanoma patients: two-step prognostic indicators of survival.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognostic significance of sentinel node biopsy in the management of stage IB and II melanoma patients, and to evaluate the status of nonsentinel nodes as a "second step key factor" to assess the prognosis of these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We conducted an analysis of data collected in a prospective database. RESULTS: From February 1994 to June 2005, 1,108 consecutive patients with stage IB and II melanoma were submitted to sentinel node biopsy; 176 patients (15.9%) had occult node metastases. The frequency of positive nodes increased with increasing Breslow's thickness. The largest diameter of metastatic foci and their localization within the lymph node were associated with the risk of nonsentinel node metastases only. The 5-year survival of patients with positive sentinel nodes was 81.4% in patients with one positive node and 39.6% in patients with two positive nodes (P = .056). Multivariate analysis indicated that status of sentinel nodes is a key factor and that sex and Breslow's thickness maintain statistically significant relevance. Ulceration, which was associated with survival when considered as single factor (P < .001) had no impact on survival in the multivariate analysis (P = .10). To evaluate the relevance of metastases to nonsentinel nodes, we identified four groups of patients. CONCLUSION: Evaluation of the sentinel node is a useful procedure to identify patients to be submitted for complete lymph node dissection. The procedure makes it possible to assess the best prognosis of patients.

Adult↗

Intratumoral angiogenesis: a new prognostic indicator for stage I endometrial adenocarcinomas?

The prognostic significance of three recently emerged parameters, namely intratumoral angiogenesis and the antiapoptotic proteins bcl-2 and mutant p53, was investigated in a series of 124 patients with endometrial adenocarcinomas of the endometrioid cell type. All patients were treated with total abdominal hysterectomy and bilateral oophorectomy, without node dissection. When deep myometrial invasion or advanced stage of disease was confirmed, adjuvant radiotherapy was given. Intratumoral angiogenesis was assessed in tissue samples, after immunohistochemical staining, with the anti-CD31 monoclonal antibody. The mean microvessel density (MVD) was 23.2 +/- 14.1 (range 4-60; 95% CI 20-25.8). Microvessel density was high (> 30) in 30% of endometrial adenocarcinomas, medium (15-30) in 33% of the tumors, and low (< 15) in the remaining cases (37%). A strong cytoplasmic and/or perinuclear expression of bcl-2 in more than 10% of the neoplastic cells was considered as being positive, and noted in 35.5% of the endometrial neoplasms; it was more frequent in the less vascularized carcinomas (P = 0.03). Nuclear p53 accumulation in an equal percentage of neoplastic cells (> 10%) was less common (7.2%). In univariate analysis, early stage of disease, absence of lymphatic-vascular space invasion (LVI), and low intratumoral MVD were the parameters associated with an improved survival (P = 0.0001, P = 0.001, and P = 0.009, respectively). In multivariate analysis, however, the only independent variable noted was stage of disease (P < 0.0001). Within stage I endometrial adenocarcinomas, only intratumoral angiogenesis was associated with prognosis (univariate analysis): high MVD cases had a significantly worse prognosis compared to medium MVD (P = 0.02). Low MVD adenocarcinomas, on the other hand, were associated with an intermediate prognosis, indicating that other factors, such as hypoxia and related mechanisms, may also be important. It is suggested that intratumoral angiogenesis may prove useful in selecting a subgroup of cancer patients, among others with stage I endometrial disease, that would benefit from additional treatment.

Adenocarcinoma↗

Estrogen receptor status as a prognostic indicator for stage I breast cancer patients.

The prognostic value of estrogen receptor determination was studied for 510 stage I (axillary node negative) breast cancer patients treated by mastectomy alone. Results at 60 months after mastectomy indicate that stage I patients whose tumors lack estrogen receptors fall into a significantly poorer prognostic group for both recurrence and survival than those whose tumors contain estrogen receptors. Within the postmenopausal group, estrogen receptor negative (ER -) patients are recurring more rapidly than estrogen receptor positive (ER +) patients. Within the premenopausal group, ER + patients have a recurrence rate identical to ER - patients, which is apparent only after prolonged follow-up. In contrast to postmenopausal ER + patients, premenopausal ER + patients appear to have no prognostic advantage over the ER - patients, and thus constitute a high risk group for which adjuvant endocrine therapy might prove beneficial.

Breast Neoplasms↗

Immunofluorometrically determined p53 accumulation as a prognostic indicator in Italian breast cancer patients.

The prognostic value of p53 protein accumulation in breast cancer, especially as detected by methods other than immunohistochemistry, has not been established unequivocally. A sensitive immunofluorometric assay of p53 protein employing DO-1 and CM-1 antibodies was used in this study to assay extracts of 171 breast carcinomas from northern Italy. p53 over-expression, demonstrated in 36 (21%) tumours, was associated with lack of oestrogen receptor (ER) expression but was not related to patient age, stage, lymph node status, tumour size, histologic type, grade or progesterone receptor (PR) expression status in contingency tables. An increased risk for cancer relapse of p53-positive patients compared to p53-negative patients was determined using multivariate Cox regression analysis, which also showed that p53 protein over-expression was an independent predictor of reduced disease-free survival in node-positive and ER+ patients but not in node-negative or ER- individuals. The equivalent analysis for assessing the impact of p53 status on overall survival was not statistically significant, possibly reflecting the short patient follow-up. Our results suggest that an immunoassay of p53 protein, applicable to cytosolic extracts prepared for steroid hormone receptor analyses, may provide information for breast cancer prognosis.

Adult↗