Evaluation of putative molecular biomarkers in abdominal and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas

Eur J Surg Oncol. 2001 Mar;27(2):203-8. doi: 10.1053/ejso.2000.1074.

Abstract

Aims: Leiomyosarcomas (LMS) are diverse tumours with different biological behaviour. To evaluate the biological nature of intraabdominal and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas we retrospectively examined the immunoreactivity of p53, bcl-2 and proliferative activity expressed as Ki-67-labelling index in 43 tumours.

Methods: Immunohistochemical staining was performed using a peroxidase-streptavidin method on paraffin-embedded sections using specific anti- p53, anti- bcl-2 and anti Ki-67 monoclonal antibodies.

Results: Of 43 tumours, seven were located in the stomach, 11 in the small or large bowel, 12 in the uterus, 11 in the retroperitoneum and two cases in the urinary bladder. Five-year disease-free survival was 46.5%. Twenty-three patients (53.4%) died of the disease. Positive immunoreactivity for p53 and bcl-2 was found in 18 (41.9%) and 26 patients (60.5%), respectively. Positive Ki-67 staining was observed in eight patients (18.6%). Proliferative indices were higher in LMS with high mitotic activity (P=0.004) and high grade (P=0.009). All Ki-67 positive LMS were intermediate or high-grade tumours. Ki-67-labelling index showed inverse relationship to bcl-2 expression. A trend towards higher survival and expression of bcl-2, p53 or Ki-67 was found.

Conclusions: Our results demonstrate that p53 and bcl-2 are expressed in a substantial number of intraabdominal and retroperitoneal leiomyosarcomas. In our study, the expression of these biomarkers did not predict patient outcome. Higher Ki-67 labelling indices were found in more biologically aggressive leiomyosarcomas.

Publication types

  • Evaluation Study

MeSH terms

  • Abdominal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Abdominal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunoenzyme Techniques
  • Ki-67 Antigen / metabolism
  • Leiomyosarcoma / diagnosis*
  • Leiomyosarcoma / metabolism
  • Leiomyosarcoma / mortality
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / metabolism
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / metabolism
  • Retroperitoneal Neoplasms / mortality
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Survival Analysis
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / metabolism

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Ki-67 Antigen
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53