Expression and significance of tumor suppressor gene WAF1 in epithelial ovarian neoplasms

The expression of P21WAF1 protein in epithelial ovarian carcinoma, borderline ovarian tumor, benign ovarian tumor and normal ovary were analyzed by immuno-histochemistry technique. Results indicated: 1. The positive expression for p21 was 45.7%(16/35) in epithelial carcinoma, 75%(9/12) in borderline tumor and benign tumor, 90.9%(10/11) in normal ovary. The difference for p21 protein between ovarian carcinoma and borderline tumor, benign tumor, normal ovary was obvious(P < 0.05). The differences in other groups were unimportant(P > 0.05). 2. The positive expression of p21 in stage I/II was 42.9%(6/14), in stage III/IV was 47.6%(10/21). The difference of them was insignificant(P > 0.05). 3. The positive expression for p21 in Grade I was 70%(7/10), in Grade II 50%(6/12), in Grade III 23.1%(3/13). The difference for p21 protein between Grade III and Grade I, Grade II was obvious(P < 0.05). The difference between Grade I and Grade II was unimportant(P > 0.05). 4. The positive expression for p21 in 35 ovarian carcinoma with lymphaden metastasis(17.6%) was lower than ovarian carcinoma without lymphaden metastasis(72.2%). The difference of them was obvious(P < 0.05). The conclusion is that deregulation of p21 protein is associate with tumoral differentiation, lymphaden metastasis and patient's prognosis, whereas it isn't associated with clinical stage. The loss for p21 protein may effect the onset and progress of ovarian carcinoma.