Abstract

p53 mutations have been known to occur frequently in human cancers, but there have been only a few reports about p53 mutations in gallbladder cancer. Authors observed overexpression of p53 proteins, and investigated the clinical and pathologic features in 12 patients of the gallbladder carcinoma. Immunohistochemical staining for p53 proteins was done by anti-human monoclonal antibody(PAb [80]; pharmingen, CA), and p53 overexpression was found in 75%(nine cases) of 12 resected specimens. When 9 cases of p53 ovrexpression according to extent of involvement were classified, 5 cases belonged to mild ones, 1 case to moderate and 3 cases to severe. And when they were classified according to intensity, 3 cases belonged to mild ones, 2 cases to moderate and 4 cases to severe. Probably invasion depth of tumor and extent of differentiation were not related with p53 overexpression. Further study will be necessary why gallbladder carcinoma has higher positivity for p53 proteins.

• Keywords: p53, Gallbladder carcinoma