Immunohistochemical study of P53, PCNA and AFP in hepatocellular carcinoma, a comparison between Indonesian and Japanese cases.

Mutations of p53 as a tumor suppressor gene in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have been reported to occur with varying frequency in different geographic regions, which might be different etiology for HCC. Overexpressions of p53 (well known for its implications in mutations of the p53 gene), PCNA and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) have been reported to be associated with carcinogenesis and/or tumor progression and poor prognosis in various types of cancer. To estimate the geographical difference of the p53 gene, PCNA and AFP in HCC, we examined 14 Japanese HCC cases, 8 Indonesian HCC cases, and 27 Indonesian chronic active hepatitis (CAH) or liver cirrhosis cases, using immunohistochemical approaches. Overexpression of p53 was identified in 37.5% of Japanese HCC, in 62.5% of Indonesian HCC and none in CAH. The mean PCNA Labeling Index of Japanese HCC, Indonesian HCC and CAH was detected in 48.6%, 30.4%, and 43.5%, respectively. AFP was detected in 35.7% of Japanese and 25% of Indonesian HCC. The rate of p53 overexpression in Indonesian HCC was as high as in HCC of southern part of China, which might share the similar etiology in both regions.