p53 Protein Overexpression in Primitive Neuroectodermal Tumours
Author Information
Author(s): E. Jaros, J. Lunec, R.H. Perry, P.J. Kelly, A.D.J. Pearson
Primary Institution: University of Newcastle upon Tyne
Hypothesis
Does p53 protein expression have prognostic value in primitive neuroectodermal tumours (PNETs)?
Conclusion
Intense overexpression of p53 protein identifies a group of PNET patients with a significantly poorer prognosis.
Supporting Evidence
- 9% of patients had intensely reactive tumor cell nuclei and significantly reduced survival.
- 68% of patients had faintly reactive tumor cell nuclei with reduced survival up to 4 years.
- Males had a 2-fold relative risk of death compared to females.
Takeaway
This study found that some brain tumors in children have a protein called p53 that, when present in high amounts, means the patient might not do well.
Methodology
The study used immunohistochemistry to analyze p53 protein expression in archival biopsy material from 87 PNET cases.
Limitations
The study only included patients known to have died from tumor progression or metastasis, which may limit generalizability.
Participant Demographics
Patients ranged from one month to 34 years old, with 78% aged from one month to 15 years; 32 were female and 55 were male.
Statistical Information
P-Value
0.002
Confidence Interval
95% Confidence Interval for differences in medians (12.4, 42.0)
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
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