THE EXPRESSION OF P53-ANTIGEN IN PRIMARY MALIGNANT EPITHELIAL TUMORS OF THE LIVER - AN IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL STUDY

We examined the expression of mutant p53 gene products in primary mali gnant epithelial tumors of the liver. Fourteen of 68 hepatocellular ca rcinomas, one of seven hepatoblastomas and one of nine intrahepatic ch olangiocarcinomas showed nuclear staining for p53 proteins. None of th e surrounding non-tumorous tissues expressed nuclear staining. The det ection of p53 proteins in tumor cells was significantly higher in hepa tocellular carcinomas of Oriental patients (31.6%) compared to non-Ori entals (6.7%, p<0.015). No significant differences were seen in p53 an tigen expression between hepatitis B and non-hepatitis B associated he patocellular carcinomas in Oriental patients. These results suggest a role for other environmental factors, such as aflatoxin, in the etiolo gy of p53 mutation in hepatocellular carcinoma in Oriental patients.