Comparison between p53 staining in tissue sections and p53 proteins levels measured by an ELISA technique
1993

Study of p53 Protein Levels in Breast Cancer

Sample size: 51 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): B. Vojtesek, C.J. Fisher, D.M. Barnes, D.P. Lane

Primary Institution: Cancer Research Campaign Laboratories, University of Dundee

Hypothesis

The study aims to evaluate the correlation between p53 protein levels measured by ELISA and p53 staining in tissue sections from breast cancer patients.

Conclusion

The study found a significant correlation between p53 protein levels and staining intensity, suggesting that the ELISA assay can effectively evaluate p53 status in breast cancer.

Supporting Evidence

  • Eighteen carcinomas were positive for p53 by tissue staining and ELISA assay.
  • Nineteen tumors were negative by ELISA and immunohistochemistry.
  • Statistically significant correlation was found between staining and p53 protein levels (r=0.59).
  • The ELISA assay offers an alternative approach to evaluating p53 status.

Takeaway

Researchers looked at breast cancer samples to see how much p53 protein was present and found that a special test could help measure it accurately.

Methodology

The study used a two-site ELISA assay to measure p53 protein levels in cytosol extracts and compared these results with immunohistochemical staining in tissue sections.

Limitations

The ELISA assay may not be as sensitive as immunohistochemical techniques, and discrepancies can occur due to using different pieces of tumor material.

Participant Demographics

Patients with primary mammary carcinoma attending the ICRF Clinical Oncology Unit.

Statistical Information

P-Value

<0.00001

Statistical Significance

p<0.00001

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