Immunohistochemical p53 in hepatocellular carcinoma and liver cell dysplasia

Mutant tumor-suppressor gene p53 is reported in over 50% of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCC). We studied 60 HCC, 30 with large cell liver cell dysplasia (LCD), suggested to be a preneoplastic change progressing to HCC, in the adjacent non-neoplastic liver. Immunohistochemistry was performed for the presence of mutant p53 and hepatitis B surface (HBs) and core (HBc) antigens, using a labeled streptavidin-biotin technique with monoclonal (1/20) and polyclonal (1/40) anti-p53 and with anti-HBs (prediluted) and anti-HBc (1/400). Twenty-nine (48%) HCC were p53 immunopositive, with both antibodies in 9, 17 with monoclonal p53 only, and 3 with polyclonal p53 only. p53 immunoreactivity was present in 3 of 19 (16%) non-neoplastic livers, 4 of 20 (20%) cirrhotic livers, and one of 30 (3%) LCD. HBs and HBc, respectively, were present in 0% and 5% non-neoplastic livers, 20% and 10% cirrhotic livers, 7% and 10% LCD, and 3% and 5% HCC. None of the p53-positive HCC had HBV markers in adjacent liver. This frequency (48%) of p53 in HCC is similar to that in other countries. The data suggest a role for p53 mutations in hepatocarcinogenesis, even in the absence of HBV infection, apparently not progressing through LCD but occurring as a late event.