Mutations of p53 gene and Its Significance for Renal Cell Carcinoma

Oh, Sei Kwon; Choi, Han Yong; Kim, Dae Sik; Lee, Sung Won; Park, Kwan Hyun; Lee, Kyu Sung; Chai, Soo Eung

Abstract

PURPOSE: Mutation of the p53 gene seem to be the most common genetic changes in human malignancies. Recent studies have also shown p53 gene mutations in several premalignant conditions and preliminary data have suggested that p53 gene mutations may be involved in tumor progression. There is wide variation in reported incidence of p53 gene mutation in renal cell carcinoma, and its prognostic significance for this tumor is unknown.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
This retrospective PCR-SSCP(the polymerase chain reaction of the single-strand conformation polymorphism) analysis and immunohistochemical study were designed to investigate the role of p53 gene mutation in renal cell carcinoma and to examine association between p53 gene mutation and tumor grade, clinical behavior and DNA ploidy.
RESULTS
Forty eight renal cell carcinoma(RCC) specimens were analyzed. Mutations of p53 gene were detected in 8.3%(4/48) of tumors. There were significant correlation between the presence of the mutation of p53 gene and high tumor grade and DNA aneuploidy(p-value=0.016. 0.019). But no significant correlation between the presence of the mutations of p53 gene and sex, symptom and tumor stage.
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the mutations of p53 gene may not be significant in development of RCC but may be related to its progression or malignant transformation.