p53, c-erbB2, and PCNA status in benign, proliferative, and malignant ovarian surface epithelial neoplasms - A study of 75 cases

Low malignant potential tumors of the ovary are believed to behave in a man ner intermediate to their benign and malignant counterparts. However, recen t evidence suggests these lesions are in fact benign and better classified as proliferative. Based on our previous work and evaluating p53, c-erbB2, a nd PCNA status in a full spectrum of ovarian surface epithelial tumors, wit h emphasis on low malignant potential tumors, we tested this hypothesis. Im munohistochemical stains with monoclonal antibodies were used an 75 archiva l ovarian neoplasms. The results demonstrated anti-p53 reactivity in 30 car cinomas (40%), 2 of which were proliferative, and no reactivity in the beni gn tumors. Overexpression of c-erbB2 was seen in 31 malignant neoplasms (64 .5%), 4 of which were proliferative (22.1%), and none in benign tumors. The PCNA proliferative index showed means of 42.8%, 22.8%, and 14.9% with beni gn, low malignant potential, and malignant tumors, respectively. Predicting immunoreactivity in carcinomas for anti-PCNA (Student t test), anti-p53, a nd anti-c-erbB2 (Pearson chi(2) test) versus a lack of immunoreactivity in proliferative tumors indicate P values of .001, <.001, and <.001, respectiv ely. These data show significant differences in the expression of these mar kers in ovarian tumors and suggest a possible role for these oncogenes as s upplemental tools in diagnostic pathology. Further, our findings also suppo rt the designation of proliferative as opposed to the current nomenclature of low malignant potential tumors.