Mutations in the p53 gene are the most frequently reported somatic gene alteration in human cancer. Overexpression of the oncogene c-erb B2 takes place also in many human carcinomas, esp. in cancers of the breast, colon and ovary. High values of both oncogenes correlate with poor prognosis. We analysed the concentration of p53 in tumor cytosols of 34 primary advanced HCC and with the clinical outcome and survival time. p53 was analysed in the tumor cytosol by luminometric immunoassay (LIA) using monoclonal antibodies detecting wild type and mutant p53 protein. C-erb B2 protein is analysed by a monoclonal ELISA. p53 values vary from 0 to 8.1 ng/mg protein (p) with a median = 0.1 ng/mg p. C-erb B2 values range from 0.02 to 4.53 U/microgram p with a median = 0.43 U/microgram p. Patients with p53 values > 0.1 ng/mg p. had shorter 1 year (20%) and 2 year (13%)--survival times compared to 60% and 20% in patients with p53 values < 0.1 ng/mgp. Patients with cerbB2 > 0.43 U/microgram p. had significantly shorter 1 year (20%) and 2 year survival times (10%) than patients with values < 0.43 U/microgram p (1 year survival = 56% and 2 year survival = 22%; p < 0.05).
Conclusion: p53 and c-erb B2 seem to be valuable prognostic factors in HCC.