Expression of p53 and Ki-67 in distal oesophageal and gastric cardia adenocarcinomas

Lately, a rapid increase in the incidence of distal oesophageal and gastric cardia tumours was noted in the Western countries. Materials and methods: The present study investigated the p53 and Ki-67 expression in Barrett's metaplasia and distal oesophageal adenocarcinoma versus the gastric cardia adenocarcinoma, using immunohistochemical methods. The authors chose the immunohistochemical study to identify the genetic changes in Barrett's metaplasia and gastro-oesophageal adenocarcinoma and to determine whether there was a significant risk pattern for the screening and surveillance of patients with gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma. The study included 109 men and women (age range: 31 - 79) with several symptoms: weight loss, persistent heartburn, regurgitation, odynophagia, dysphagia, bleeding. The patients had histologically confirmed Barrett's metaplasia and junction adenocarcinoma. Results: The overexpression of p53 was found in 63% of the patients with oesophageal adenocarcinoma and in 49% of the patients with gastric cardia adenocarcinoma. The immunohistochemical expression of the proliferating factor Ki-67 was positive in 45-55% of the Barrett's metaplasia cases and moderately or strongly positive in 100% of the gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinoma cases. Conclusions: The authors concluded that the p53 and Ki-67 immunoexpression varied among different types of gastro-oesophageal junction adenocarcinomas.