p53 immunostaining predicts chemosensitivity in non-small cell lung cancer: A preliminary report

PURPOSE: Although resistance to chemotherapy is a major problem in cancer treatment, there is no predictor of treatment response. Recent reports suggest that p53 status may provide a genetic basis for drug resistance. METHODS: Transbronchial biopsy specimens from 18 patients with non-small cell lung cancer were evaluated for p53 expression using anti-p53 antibody (DO-1). After biopsy, these patients received more than two courses of identical chemotherapy including cisplatin, carboplatin, and vindesine. RESULTS: Ten of 18 (56%) patients responded to chemotherapy. The accumulation of p53 protein was detected in 10 of 18 (56%) patients. Positive staining for p53 was significantly correlated with unresponsiveness to chemotherapy. Other factors, including gender, performance status, body weight loss, serum albumin, and serum LDH, did not correlate with the immunohistochemical expression of p53. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that immunostaining with p53 can be a predictor of the response to chemotherapy in non-small cell lung cancer. Further studies are needed to confirm the relationship between p53 expression and chemosensitivity.