High prevalence of p53 gene mutation in esophageal cancer

Tissue samples from 24 patients with esophageal cancer were studied to determine the incidence and clinical implications of alterations of the p53 gene. Allelic deletion of chromosome 17p and mutation of the p53 gene were determined by Southern blot analysis and polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism. Nucleotide sequence analysis was performed using the direct sequencing method when abnormalities were detected. Eighteen of the 24 cases of esophageal cancer showed either gene deletions or mutations of the p53 gene. Among 15 tumors with p53 gene deletion or mutation, 13 point mutations and 2 frame shifts were identified. The clinical data were also analyzed in relation to genetic alteration of the p53 gene. These results indicate that allelic deletion of 17p13 and mutation of the p53 gene are frequent and may occur simultaneously in esophageal cancer cells. Such changes might be an important step in the development of esophageal cancer. However, the presence of a p53 gene mutation was not significantly associated with tumor stage, nodal stage, age, or smoking. There was no evidence to suggest that p53 gene mutation could be a prognostic factor in esophageal cancer patients.