Prognostic value of simultaneous expression of p21 and mdm2 in breast carcinomas treated by adjuvant chemotherapy with antracyclin

One hundred and sixty-two breast carcinomas treated by adjuvant chemotherap y were investigated in immunohistochemistry for expression of p53 and two w ild-type p53-regulated induced proteins, mdm2 and p21/waf1. p21 and mdm2 we re expression stongly correlated with Ki67 but not with survival. The p53+/ p21+, p53+/p21- and p53+/mdm2-phenotypes were associated with the worst pro gnosis. The p53+/p21+/ mdm2+ tumors were associated with a better outcome t han the other phenotypes, they may be tumors expressing wild-type p53 and p 21, and a form of mdm2 that might lead to the stabilization of p53. It is s uggested that p21/mdm2 expression should be investigated in all cases of p5 3 positive breast cancer.