p53 gene mutation and COX-2 expression in hepatocellular carcinoma

Backgroud and aim: We investigated the incidence of codon 249 mutation of p53 in hepatocelluar carcinoma (HCC) and the relation between cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) expression in HCC and survival of the patients. Methods: Forty-one cases of HCC from 1988 to 2007 were retrieved from the files of department of pathology, Chungnam National University Hospital. We performed single strand confirmation polymorphism (SSCP) and direct DNA sequencing for detection of p53 mutation and immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibody to COX-2. Results: SSCP and direct DNA sequencing revealed a p53 mutation at exon 7 in one of 41 cases (2.4%). The mutation was observed at codon 249 and consisted of a G–T transversion in the third position of this codon, resulting in an amino acid change from arginine to serine (missense mutation). Positive COX-2 staining (score ≥ 100) was observed in thirty-three of 41 cases (80.5%) and high score (score ≥ 200) in 15 of 41 (36.6%). The high-score group showed a worse survival than the low-score group (score < 200) in Fisher's exact test with confidence level at 90%. Conclusion: This is the first report on the existence of p53 codon 249 mutation of HCC in Korea.