Overexpression of p53 protein in gallbladder carcinoma in North India

Aims: p53 mutations are one of the most frequent genetic alterations in human cancers and are thought to play a role in pathogenesis of several malignancies. Overexpression of p53 in gallbladder cancer has not previously been reported from North India which has one of the highest incidence of this malignancy in the world. The present work is aimed at studying the overexpression of p53 in gallbladder carcinoma occurring in North India. Methods: p53 overexpression by immunohistochemistry was studied in 20 operative specimens of gallbladder carcinoma. The clinico–pathological observations of these patients were correlated with the extent of p53 overexpression. Results: Seventy per cent (14/20) of specimens of gallbladder carcinoma overexpressed p53 protein. There was a significant correlation between presence of gallstones, T stage, grade of tumour and liver invasion with p53 overexpression. There was no significant correlation with other factors studied viz. age, sex, nodal status and histological type. Conclusions: The results show a strong association between gallstones and p53 protein overexpression in gallbladder carcinoma. The causal relationship in this association, however, still remains unproven.