The expression of p53 protein in chronic lymphocytic leukemia is associated with poor response to chemotherapy and short survival

Abstract EN

We have analyzed by immunocytochemistry (ICC) the frequency of p53 protein expression in 47 cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia to assess the relationship between p53 and the disease stage as well as the possible impact of this protein on the response to treatment and survival.

Of these, 42 samples were valid for interpretation.

The overall frequency of p53 protein positivity in CLL was 16.7% (7 of 42 cases).

The percentage of p53-positive cells increased with disease progression (25 ± 7% in stage 3 vs 10.3 ± 6.2% in stage 1 + 2).).

This difference, however, did not reach statistical significance.

A significantly poorer response to therapy was observed in p53-positive compared to p53-negative patients.

Three out of 7 p53 (+ve) versus 31 out of 35 p53 (-ve) patients showed a response to therapy (p = 0.05).

The viral survival rate was significantly shorter in patients with p53 protein expression (p = 0.024).

The results of this study indicate that in CLL the expression of the p53 protein is associated with poor response to chemotherapy and short survival.