Retrospective analysis of a large patient sample to determine p53 and Ki67 expressions in renal cell carcinoma.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the expression of p53 and Ki67 genes in renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and its possible clinical value. Methods: A retrospective analysis of clinical data from 1239 patients with RCC was performed to explore the relationship between the expression of Ki67 and p53 proteins and tumor stage, grade and prognosis. Results: p53 expression was not significantly correlated with TNM stage and Fuhrman grade (p>0.05); Ki67 expression was significantly correlated with TNM stage and Fuhrman grade (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier and log-rank survival rate results showed that the prognosis of Ki67 and p53 double-positive group was significantly inferior to the single-positive and negative group (p<0.001). In the multivariate Cox risk regression analysis model, TNM stage, relative risk/RR=3.196, p<0.001), Fuhrman grade (RR=3.196, p<0.001) and Ki67 and p53 double-positive [Ki67 (+) p53 (+), RR=3.196, p<0.001] were significantly correlated with tumor prognosis, and independent predictors of the patient disease-free survival (DFS). Conclusion: The combined detection of p53 and Ki67 expressions, which are superior to single marker, could be used to improve significantly the accuracy of prognosis of RCC patients.