P53 overexpression predicts endometrial carcinoma recurrence better than HER-2/neu overexpression

Objective: to investigate the prognostic value of p53 and HER-2/neu overexp ression in endometrial cancer. Study Design: p53 and HER2/neu immunostainin g was performed in 114 paraffin-embedded specimens of endometrial. cancer d iagnosed and treated between 1990 and 1997. Nuclear p53 and membrane HER-2/ neu immunostaining were used. Results: p53 and HER-2/neu overexpression was observed in 17 cases (14.9%) and in 19 cases (16.7%), respectively. In uni variate analysis p53 (P < 0.001) and HER-2/neu (P = 0.018) overexpression h ad a positive correlation with a high risk of recurrence. In multivariate a nalysis, age (P < 0.001), FIGO stage (P < 0.001), differentiation (P = 0.01 3), non-endometrioid subtypes (P < 0.001) and p53 overexpression (P < 0.001 ), but not HER-2/neu overexpression, were independent prognostic indicators of recurrence. Simultaneous p53 and HER-2/neu overexpression made worse th e prognostic (P <less than> 0.001). Conclusions: p53 overexpression was an independent predictor of recurrent disease in endometrial cancer. HER-2/neu overexpression had a more limited effect but enhance the effect of p53. (C ) 2001 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.