Significance of Genetic Abnormalities of p53 Protein in Slovenian Patients with Gastric Carcinoma

Aim: To analyze genetic alterations of p53 gene in Slovenian gastric cancer patients and to compare these alterations with clinicopathological parameters in order to assess the value of p53 as a prognostic factor. Methods: We analyzed the samples from 230 Slovenian patients with gastric cancer, collected between 1983 and 2001. p53 expression was evaluated immunohistochemically with DO-7 monoclonal antibody. In addition, loss of heterozigosity (LOH) and microsatellite instability (MSI) of p53 gene were evaluated, as well as its mutational status in the selected population of patients. Results: p53 expression was associated with poorer survival and it was an independent predictor in multivariate analysis, along with TNM (T – size of tumor, N – nodal involvement, M – distant metastasis) stage status. Loss of heterozigosity and microsatellite instability status did not influence survival, however we found association of loss of heterozigosity with Lauren’s (Mantel-Haenszel test, P = .004) and Ming’s (Mantel-Haenszel test, P