Expression of p53 tumor suppressor gene, oncoprotein c-erbB-2, cellular proliferation and differentiation in malignant and benign pancreatic lesions.

The expression of oncoprotein, tumor suppressor gene, cellular proliferation and differentiation markers were studied in 64 malignant and benign pancreatic tumors, adjacent and distant to the tumor duct epithelium. Activity of these markers was compared to 16 cases of chronic pancreatitis. Tumor suppressor gene p53 and transforming growth factor alpha were overexpressed in the majority of malignant tumors. The expression of c-erbB-2 oncoprotein and cellular proliferation marker Ki67 was less common in malignant lesions, but was absent in the benign cases. The positive staining of all markers in ductal epithelium outside of the tumor, particularly in pancreatic duct carcinoma, suggest the ductal histogenesis of this malignancy. The presence of c-erbB-2 and Ki67 in malignant lesions only suggest their possible use in the differentiation of pancreatic malignancies and chronic pancreatitis.