Expression of molecular markers in the tumor and survival prognosis in osteosarcoma.

Immunohistochemical study of p53, VEGF, Flt-1/VEGFR1 Ab-1, EGFR, HER-2/neu, Bax, and Cox-2 expression in osteosarcomas was carried out in 40 patients aged 16-70 years. Expression of p53 was detected in 27.5% tumors, VEGF in 15%, Flt-1/VEGFR1 Ab-1 in 97.5%, EGFR in 52.5%, HER-2/neu in 32.5%, Bax in 77.8%, and Cox-2 in 32.3% tumors. Multifactorial analysis showed that the expression of HER-2/neu (p=0.004), p53 (p=0.01), and Cox-2 (p=0.04) in osteosarcomas significantly correlated with unfavorable prognosis for overall survival, while HER-2/neu (p=0.02) and Cox-2 (p=0.003) with relapse-free survival. Analysis of HER-2/neu, p53, and Cox-2 expression in the primary tumor should be taken into consideration in the treatment of patients with osteosarcoma.