p53 mutations in non-small cell lung carcinomas in Hong Kong.

Lung resections from 50 Chinese patients in Hong Kong diagnosed as having non-small cell lung carcinoma were examined for the presence of mutations in the p53 gene by polymerase chain reaction single-stranded conformation polymorphism methods and for aberrant protein expression by immunostaining techniques. Eight-point mutations in the evolutionarily conserved exon 5 through 8 regions were detected. Abnormal expression of p53 detectable by immunostaining techniques was seen in 23 specimens tested. There was no statistically significant correlation between the detection of p53 aberrations and age, sex, smoking history, histologic type, and tumor stage. Aberrant p53 protein levels detectable by immunostaining were significantly associated with the clinical and nodal staging of the tumors.