Objectives: Genetic alterations in the p53 protein may induce serum anti-p53 antibodies. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of serum anti-p53 antibodies in a large series of Western patients with hepatocellular carcinoma and the prognostic value of these antibodies on survival.
Methods: Serum anti-p53 antibodies were assayed in 159 patients with hepatocellular carcinoma, at diagnosis, using an immunoenzymatic method. The initial patient characteristics were compared according to anti-p53 status. The prognostic value of these antibodies on survival was determined by univariate and multivariate analysis.
Results: One hundred fifty nine patients with hepatocellular carcinoma were included in the study (129 men, mean age: 68 years). The main associated causes of chronic liver disease were alcohol (n=86), virus C (n=34), and virus B (n=18); 151 patients had cirrhosis. Median follow-up was 306 days. Among the 159 patients, 19 (12%) had serum anti-p53 antibodies. Detection of serum anti-p53 antibodies was significantly correlated with the presence of a multinodular or infiltrative tumor (P<0.03). Survival was not influenced by the presence of anti-p53 antibodies. Serum albumin, ALAT, and alfa-fetoprotein levels were independent prognostic variables.
Conclusion: In our study, anti-p53 antibodies were rarely found in the serum of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma. Although they were correlated with multinodular or infiltrative tumors, they had no prognostic influence on survival. Thus, assaying serum anti-p53 antibodies does not seem to have any clinical value in those patients.