Expression and alteration of p53 and p21 (waf1/cip1) influence the sensitivity of chemoradiation therapy for esophageal cancer
Shimoyama, S.; Konishi, T.; Kawahara, M.; Aoki, F.; Harada, N.; Shimizu, S.; Murakami, T.; Kaminishi, M.
Hepato-Gastroenterology 45(23): 1497-1504
1998
ISSN/ISBN: 0172-6390 PMID: 9840093 Document Number: 492285
BACKGROUND/AIMS: In vitro analyses have been demonstrated that wild type p53 and p21waf1/cip1 proteins regulate cellular proliferation and sensitivity of anticancer agents, however, the roles of p53 and p21waf1/cip1 expression on the response to the chemoradiation therapy for human esophageal squamous cell cancer have not been investigated. METHODOLOGY: With an immunohistochemical method using specimens before and after the chemoradiation therapy, we investigate in this report the influence of the p53 and p21waf1/cip1 expression on the chemoradiation therapy response or alteration of these protein expressions by chemoradiation therapy in thirteen esophageal squamous cell cancer patients who received our recently developed chemoradiation therapy. RESULTS: In the biopsy specimens before the chemoradiation therapy, 82% of the responders and 71% of patients with down T-classification had either a p53-/p21+ or p53+/p21+ phenotype. Eighty two percent and 46% of the cases with these two phenotypes showed complete or partial response and down T-classification, respectively. After the chemoradiation therapy, 73% of the responders and 71% of the patients with down T-classification had either a p53-/p21+ or p53+/p21+ phenotype. Eighty eight percent and 56% of the cases with these two phenotypes showed complete or partial response and down T-classification, respectively. Comparative analysis before and after the chemoradiation therapy revealed that four patients had an alteration of p53 and p21waf1/cip1 expression in association with the therapeutic response. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that wild type p53 or p21waf1/cip1 expression relates with and can be altered by the chemoradiation therapy, which could influence the therapeutic efficacy.