European Journal of Cardio-Thoracic Surgery, Vol 11, 838-842, Copyright © 1997 by European Association for Cardio-thoracic Surgery
p53, c-erbB-2 and nm23 expression have no prognostic significance in primary pulmonary adenocarcinoma
M MacKinnon, KM Kerr, G King, MM Kennedy, JS Cockburn and RR Jeffrey
Department of Pathology, Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, Foresterhill, UK.
OBJECTIVE: We analysed nm23, c-erbB-2 and p53 protein expression in lung
adenocarcinoma in relation to clinicopathological status and patient
survival, to elucidate any potential prognostic value. Published reports
suggest that high p53 and c-erbB-2 protein expression and loss of nm23
protein expression are associated with poor prognosis. METHODS: A total of
162 pulmonary adenocarcinomas resected between 1980 and 1991 were stained
using monoclonal antibodies to nm23 (NCL-nm23), c- erbB-2 (NCL-CB11) and
p53 (DAKO Do7). Antigen retrieval was by microwave heating and bound
antibody was visualised using standard immunohistochemical methods.
Staining was scored by two observers blinded to tumour status and patient
survival. RESULTS: Of the tumours, 101/162 (62.3%) exhibited high-level p53
expression, 30 (18.5%) showed high-level c-erbB-2 membrane staining, and 77
(47.5%) demonstrated loss of nm23 positivity. The influence of T and N
status and disease stage on postoperative survival was as expected. The
predicted effect on patient survival of nm23, c-erbB-2 or nm23 protein
expression suggested by previous studies was not verified by our work. This
was true both overall and for groups within the same T or N status or
stage. CONCLUSION: Immunohistochemical assessment of the nm23, c-erbB-2 and
p53 proteins using the above monoclonal antibodies does not have value as
an independent prognostic indicator in pulmonary adenocarcinoma.
