Prognostic significance of p53, bcl-2, vimentin, and S 100 protein-positive langerhans cells in endometrial carcinoma

Abstract

Immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl2, vimentin, and S100 protein—positive Langerhans cell was evaluated in 50 endometrial carcinomas (6 stage 1, 14 stage II, 20 stage III, and 10 stage IV), in an attempt to use these markers as predictors of survival. Monoclonal antibodies to p53, Bcl-2, vimentin, and S100 proteins were applied to paraffin-embedded sections of endometrial adenocarcinoma, using the avidin-biotin peroxidase complex technique (ABC). All 20 patients with stage I and II carcinomas were alive with a mean follow-up of 3 years. Of 30 patients with stage III and IV carcinomas, 13 died of tumor (3-year survival, 57%; SE, 10%), eight were alive with tumor, and nine were alive with no evidence of tumor (mean follow-up, 46 months). Strong p53 positivity was present in 11 carcinomas (22%), including nine high-stage and two low-stage tumors. Bcl-2 positivity was identified in 33 tumors (66%). These tumors were mostly low stage; however, no correlation was found between Bcl-2 expression and prognosis. Vimentin positivity ( P < .001), and tumor infiltration by a large number of S100 protein—positive Langerhans cells ( P < .05) were associated with low-stage tumors. Vimentin was expressed in 23 carcinomas, including 70% of low-stage tumors and 20% of high-stage tumors. Most high-grade carcinomas were Langerhans cell depleted; most low-grade carcinomas showed >50 S100 protein—positive Langerhans cells/10 high-power fields. Our results indicate that Langer-hans cell infiltration and vimentin positivity of tumor cells are favorable prognostic factors in endometrial carcinomas.