ACCUMULATION OF MUTANT P53 PROTEIN CORRELATES WITH ELEVATION OF SERUMAFP IN HUMAN HEPATOCELLULAR-CARCINOMA

A total of 88 specimens of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and its surr ounding liver tissues were studied to assess the role of a mutant p53 protein in HCC. The mutant p53 protein was evaluated by an immunoperox idase detection system. Mutant p53 protein was detected in 46.6% of HC C specimens, and in 70.6% of surrounding liver tissues. A statisticall y significant association was found between the elevation of serum AFP and the accumulation of mutant p53 in HCCs (P<0.05), and in surroundi ng liver tissues (P<0.005). These results imply that mutant p53 protei n may function as a regulatory factor in the transcription of the AFP gene during development of HCC.