[Overexpression of c-myc and p53 gene in human hepato-cellular carcinoma--a study with immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization].

Immunohistochemistry (ABC method) and in situ hybridization (DNA-RNA) were used to detect c-myc and p53 gene expression in tissues of human HCC and nearby non-tumorous liver (NT) from 23 patients. The results showed that the positive rates of P62c-myc were 87% (20/23) in HCC and 91% (21/23) in NT. The positive rates of P53 protein were 39% (9/23) in HCC as well as in NT. The positive rates of c-myc and p53 mRNA were 70% (16/23) and 56% (13/23) in HCC and NT respectively. The expression of c-myc and p53 at protein level was significantly correlated with that at mRNA level. These observations suggest a close association of c-myc and p53 gene overexpression with hepatocarcinogenesis. Immunohistochemistry (ABC method) on section of paraffin embedded tissue is a reliable method for detecting c-myc and p53 gene expression in HCC.