Objective: To determine the frequency of MDM2 and p53 genes and their possible role in the pathogenesis and development in bone tumors.
Methods: Digoxigenin labeling in situ hybridization technique was used to investigate the expression of MDM2 and p53 in 38 cases of bone tumors, including 12 osteosarcomas, 10 chondrosarcomas, 14 giant cell tumors of bone and 2 chondroblastomas. The relationship between MDM2 and p53 expressions was analyzed.
Results: The positive rates for MDM2 in osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma and giant cell tumor of bone were 41.7%, 50.0% and 35.7%, while those for p53 were 58.3%, 40.0% and 21.4%, respectively. The two cases of chondroblastoma showed both MDM2 and p53 overexpression. There was a striking association between MDM2 and p53 overexpressions.
Conclusion: MDM2 and p53 alterations are frequent events in bone tumors and may be involved in tumorigenesis or tumor progression in bone tumors.