The Value of DNA Ploidy and Labelling for Ki-67 and p53 for Determining Prognosis

Abstract

Purpose : Although the prognostic factors for hepatoblastoma have been investigated from several perspectives, no satisfactory markers for predicting the outcome of patients with hepatoblastoma have been found. The purpose of this study was to determine the value of DNA ploidy and labelling for Ki-67 and p53 for the prognosis of patients with hepatoblastoma. Material and methods : Twelve patients with hepatoblastoma who underwent complete resection of tumors between 1965 and 1998 without preoperative multimodal chemotherapy were the subjects for the study. Histopathological specimens were obtained from paraffin-embedded tissue. DNA ploidy was classified using a DNA index based on measuring DNA contents using Hedley's method. Labelling for Ki-67 and p53 was determined using immunohistochemical staining with monoclonal antibodies to Ki-67 and p53. Grade of staining (GS) was positive (GS≧6.0%), or negative (GS<6.0%). Results : 1. The survival rate of patients with DNA diploidy (DD) was better than that of patients with non-DD (DNA aneuploid or DNA heterogeneity), but this difference was not statistically significant (p=0.390). 2. The survival rate of patients in the negative index group was better than that of patients in the positive index group for both Ki-67 and p53 staining (p=0.022, 0.002, respectively). 3. A relationship between being in the positive index group and the incidence of postoperative pulmonary metastases was found for both Ki-67 and p53 staining (p=0.091, 0.020, respectively). Conclusions : Ki-67 and p53 may be useful as markers for the prognosis of patients with hepatoblastoma.