Expressions of p53, proliferating cell nuclear antigen, and Ki-67 in gestational trophoblastic diseases

Objective: This study was done to determine whether the expressions of p53, PCNA, and Ki-67 could differentiate spontaneous abortions with hydropic changes from gestational trophoblastic diseases.

Materials and methods: Twenty partial hydatidiform moles, 21 complete hydatidiform moles, nine invasive hydatidiform moles, three choriocarcinomas and 19 first trimester hydropic spontaneous abortions were evaluated by means of immunohistochemical methods with antibodies to p53, PCNA, and Ki-67 in this study.

Results: The Ki-67, PCNA, and p53 immunoreactivity was significantly higher in the gestational trophoblastic disease group than in the spontaneous abortion group with hydropic changes. None of the three parameters provided reliable discrimination among gestational trophoblastic disease subgroups.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that expressions of Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen and p53 can be used to differentiate between spontaneous abortion with hydropic changes and gestational trophoblastic disease when all three markers are used together.

Gestational Trophoblastic Disease; Hydatidform Mole; PCNA; Ki-67; p53

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