Clinical significance of expression of p21 and p53 proteins and proliferating cell nuclear antigen in pancreatic cancer

Objective: To study the clinical significance and effect of p21, p53 protein as well as proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) on the occurrence and development of pancreatic carcinoma. Method: p21, p53 protein and PCNA expressions were detected in specimens from 30 patients with pancreatic carcinoma and 3 samples of normal pancreatic tissue by immunohistochemistry. The data were analyzed together with clinical findings. Results: The positive expression rates of p21 and p53 proteins were 75.0% and 57.3% respectively in pancreatic carcinoma, which were significantly different from those in the normal tissue (P < 0.05). p21 and p53 proteins were positively correlated ( P < 0.05). The positive expression of PCNA was 43.33% ± 17.99%, that was significantly higher than that in the normal pancreatic tissue (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA was correlated with the histological grade (P < 0.05). The positive expression rate was consistent with the exacerbation of cancer. The expression was also correlated significantly with prognosis and p53 expression (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The occurrence and development of pancreatic cancer are the result of associated function for many oncogenes and antioncogenes. PCNA may be helpful to identify malignant degree and prognosis of pancreatic cancer.