Objective: To study the expression of p53 protein in lung cancer and benign pulmonary diseases through preoperative fibro-optic bronchoscope brushing and biospy as an approach to early diagnosis of lung cancer and to explore correlation between the expression of the gene product and metastatic involvement of hilar or mediastial lymph nodes.
Methods: Using a monoclonal antibody against p53, the expression of p53 protein was determined by immunocyto-histochemical techniques.
Results: Positive staining of p53 protein of cells obtained form bronchoscopic brushing and biospy was 33.3% (12/36) and 47.2% (17/36) respectively in lung cancer patients. There was 61.1% (22/36) positive staining of cells harvested by brushing plus biospy in lung cancer. No correlation between p53 protein expression and cell differentiation, histologic type or pTNM staging. No p53 expression was observed in benign pulmonary diseases.
Conclusion: p53 protein expression in cells collected from bronchoscopic brushing and biopsy may be useful in the diagnosis of lung cancer.