Background and purpose: p53 mutation and Bcl-2 overexpression is correlated with advanced prostate cancer. This study investigated the correlation of p53 and Bcl-2 immunoreactivity frequency with histopathological features in patients with prostate cancer in Taiwan.
Methods: Primary adenocarcinomas from 125 radical prostatectomy specimens were stained using commercial monoclonal antibodies. Association between immunohistochemical findings and tumor extent, Gleason score and preoperative prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels were assessed.
Results: Abnormal p53 expression was identified in 44 tumors (35.2%) and was correlated with high serum PSA (p=0.022) and advanced disease (p=0.005), but not Gleason score. Ten tumors (8%) expressed Bcl-2. A significant positive association was found between Bcl-2 and PSA (p=0.034). There was no association between p53 and Bcl-2 immunopositivity.
Conclusions: p53 mutation was positively correlated with serum PSA and tumor extent. Overexpression of Bcl-2 was associated with high serum PSA only.