P-53 and H-ras mutations in lung cancer patients 40 years of age and younger and its correlation to tumor stage and Ki-67 immunostaining: A preliminary report

Özer E., Sağol Ö., Özkal S., Kargı A., Yörükoğlu K., Ermete S., ...More

ANNALS OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, vol.10, no.1, pp.32-36, 2001 (Peer-Reviewed Journal) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 10 Issue: 1
  • Publication Date: 2001
  • Journal Name: ANNALS OF MEDICAL SCIENCES
  • Journal Indexes: TR DİZİN (ULAKBİM)
  • Page Numbers: pp.32-36
  • Dokuz Eylül University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

Purpose: To define the roles of the p53 and H-ras gene mutations in the development and biological behavior of lung cancer specifically in young adults. Methods: The archival tumor tissues of 19 patients 40 years of age or younger were studied by means of immunohistochemistry and compared to the tissues of randomly selected 15 patients older than 40 years. Results: In the younger group, p53 and H-ras mutations were found in 11 patients (57.9%) and 4 patients (21.1%), respectively. In the older group, 10 patients (66.6%) showed p53 mutations, whereas none of the cases showed H-ras mutations. Neither p53 nor H-ras immunoreactivity showed statistical significance with age, sex, histologic type, stage and proliferative activity assessed by Ki-67 expression. However, in multivariate analysis, p53 immunopositive and H-ras immunonegative tumors showed significant relation with advanced tumor stage and stronger Ki-67 immunoreactivity. Conclusion: Although p53 and H-ras gene mutations do not play a specific role in young adults on lung carcinogenesis compared to older patients our preliminary results show that, p53 overexpression and absence of H-ras expression in these tumors might be associated with aggressive biological behavior.