Correlation p53 expression and human papilloma virus deoxyribonucleic acid with clinical outcome in early uterine cervical carcinoma

Background: In the present study we assessed whether expression of p53 protein or HPV DNA correlates with recurrence as well as several known prognostic factors in uterine cervical carcinoma. Methods: Forty-nine patients with FIGO stage IA-IIB who underwent hysterectomy between 1998 and 2002 were retrospectively studied. All 49 cancer tissue samples were used for immunohistochemical study. Twenty-five of 49 cases were also examined by PCR-RFLP for detection and typing of HPV DNA. Results: Twenty of 49 (40.8%) specimens demonstrated nuclear staining for p53. A significant association between p53 overexpression and age, hormonal status, FIGO stage, or recurrence was observed (p = 0.02, 0.01, 0.03, 0.01). However, no significant association was found between p53 overexpression and lymph node metastases, parametrium involvement, or risk of death (p = 0.18, 0.06, 0.14). Nineteen of 25 (76%) were HPV DNA-positive and 6 (24%) were negative. Discussion: There was no relation between HPV DNA positivity and age, FIGO stage, lymph node metastases, parametrium involvement, recurrence, or risk of death. Conclusion: p53 overexpression is associated with age, hormonal status, FIGO stage, and recurrence in uterine cervical carcinoma.