We studied p53 and p21 expression simultaneously in gastric carcinoma tissu
es to investigate the clinical significance of p53-p21 pathway in this dise
ase. One hundred sixty-four primary gastric carcinoma specimens were immuno
histochemically stained for p53 and p21 protein, and clinicopathological fe
atures of the cases were examined. P53 was stained negatively, while p21 wa
s stained positively in each normal stomach epithelium. P53, and p21 positi
ve staining was observed in 82 (50%) and 61 (37.2%) tumors, respectively. U
nexpectingly, no correlation was found between p53 and p21 staining status.
Tumors demonstrating preserved p53-p21 pathway [p53(-)/p21(+)], observed i
n 20.1% of the tumors, displayed less aggressive characteristics, and no re
current disease after curative resection. While tumors demonstrating disrup
ted p53-p21 pathway [p53(+)/p21(-)], observed in 32.9% of the tumors, displ
ayed significantly more aggressive characteristics, poorer survival and hig
her recurrence rate than the tumors demonstrating other staining patterns.
P53-p21 pathway was widely altered in gastric carcinomas. The combined eval
uation of p53 and p21 expression in gastric carcinoma tissues is suggested
to have clinical importance by indicating not only the malignant potential
of each tumor, but also the prognosis of this disease.