[Detection of p53 gene mutations in hepatocellular carcinoma]

This study screened 32 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) from Chengdu detecting HBV DNA. HBsAg and p53 mutations by using Southern blot hybridization, immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction/restriction enzyme digest methods, respectively. The results revealed all the cases had been infected by HBV; the frequency of HBV DNA integration into HCC cell was 72%, and the positive staining for HBsAg 96.3%(26/27). Of the 32 cases, 8 showed nuclear staining of p53 protein (25%), no mutation of p53 gene at all in 27 nontumorours liver tissues was identified. The resluts suggest the inactivation of p53 function may play a significant role in the genesis of HBV-associated HCC; however, the largely negative p53 mutation results in the current study conversely indicate that hepatocarcinogenesis may even involve other comprehensive mechanisms. Further studies are worth doing to evaluate the possible contribution of HBV to the p53 mutation in HCC.