Comparison of p53 and DNA content abnormalities in adenocarcinoma of the oesophagus and gastric cardia

This study examined the association between 17p allelic loss, p53 gene mutation, p53 protein expression and DNA aneuploidy in a series of adenocarcinomas arising in the oesophagus and gastric cardia. 17p allelic loss was detected in 79% (15 of 19) of oesophageal and in 83% (29 of 35) of gastric adenocarcinomas. p53 mutations were detected in 70% (14 of 20) and 63% (26 of 41) of oesophageal and of gastric adenocarcinomas respectively. Both tumour types were associated with a predominance of base transitions at CpG dinucleotides. In five cases of oesophageal adenocarcinoma, the same mutation was detected both in tumour and in adjacent dysplastic Barrett's epithelium. Diffuse p53 protein expression was detected in 65% (13 of 20) and 59% (24…