Molecular Expression of p53 in Endometrial Carcinoma and Its Correlation with Clinicopathological Factors

Abstract

The mutational status of TP53 is the single most important molecular factor, which predicts prognosis in endometrial carcinomas; nonsynonymous TP53 missense mutations result in nuclear accumulation of p53 protein that can be detected as overexpression by immunohistochemistry. A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Gynaecological Oncology of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU), Dhaka, Bangladesh, between January and December of 2023, to evaluate the immunohistochemistry findings of p53 protein and its correlation with clinicopathological factors in endometrial carcinoma. A total of 54 endometrial carcinoma patients diagnosed by fractional curettage or diagnostic curettage admitted in the BSMMU Hospital were enrolled in this study. Patient’s complete history including age, BMI, family history, parity, menstrual pattern, comorbidities, clinical complaints, investigations and operation notes were recorded in the data collection sheet. After surgery, blocks were made from pathological specimens for histopathological examination. After regular histopathological examination, immunohistochemistry was performed on all tumours using monoclonal mouse antibodies against p53 proteins (Dako Envision method according to manufacturer protocol) in the Department of Pathology of the same institution. Aggressive histological variety (non-endometroid) was more prevalent (87.5%) in p53 mutant cases (p<0.01). Deeper myometrial invasion (≥50%), cervical extension and lymphovascular space invasion (LVSI) were also significantly associated with p53 mutations (p<0.05, p<0.01 and p<0.01 respectively). Moreover, higher tumour grade and lower FIGO stage were significantly associated with p53 mutations (p<0.05 and p<0.01 respectively). However, tumour size, adnexal and lymph node involvement showed no significant difference (p>0.05).

CBMJ 2026 July: Vol. 15 No. 02 P:86-91