[DNA ploidy pattern, p53 immunohistochemical overexpression and PCNA labeling index in "single nodular" human hepatocellular carcinomas from the viewpoint of biological malignant potential]

Abstract

Nuclear DNA ploidy analysis, p53 immunohistochemical overexpression and PCNA Labeling Index (PCNA LI) were studied in 80 cases of resected "single nodular" human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) tissue sections. Aneuploid pattern was found in forty-six cases (57.7%) and p53 overexpression in fifteen cases (18.8%). The rate of aneuploid pattern was significantly higher in patients with carcinomas more than 2 cm in diameter, fc-inf positive growth and more than Stage II. p53 overexpression was not found in patients with well-differentiated HCCs and Stage I. Positive rate of p53 overexpression was significantly higher in patients with HCV-Ab positive and PCNA LI > or = 40%. It was high in patients with vp-positive, vv-positive and aneuploid pattern. PCNA LI of HCCs were significantly higher in patients with HBs-Ag positive, high serum AFP level, massive type and single nodular type with proliferation into surrounding area, fc-inf positive, im-positive, Stage III + IV, aneuploid pattern and p53 overexpression. The postoperative prognoses of patients with aneuploid pattern and PCNA LI > or = 40% were significantly poorer than those of the diploid one and PCNA LI < 40% in cumulative survival rates. Those prognoses were remarkably poorer in the early postoperative period. Patients with p53 overexpression had poorer prognosis than those with no p53 overexpression in the early postoperative period. These results suggest that nuclear DNA ploidy analysis, p53 immunohistochemical overexpression and PCNA LI were useful markers of biological malignant potentials in "single nodular" human HCCs.