Significance of p53, p27, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and HER2 expression in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma

Background The study investigated the expression and the clinicopathological significance of p53, p27, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and HER2 in upper urinary tract urothelial carcinomas (UTUC) from Tunisian patients. We performed a retrospective study of 66 UTUC. Main clinicopathological features were reported. The expression of p53, p27, Ki-67, E-cadherin, and HER2 was investigated by immunohistochemistry on whole tissue section. Results Expression of p53, Ki-67, p27, E-cadherin, and HERE2 was reported in 36.4%, 69.7%, 90.9%, 100%, and 0% of cases, respectively. p53 expression was associated with stage ( p = 0.001), positive surgical margin ( p = 0.005), and shorter recurrence-free survival (RFS; Log Rank test, p = 0.026). Ki-67 and p27 expression was associated with stage ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively) and grade ( p < 0.001 and p = 0.001, respectively). Using Kaplan-Meier test, the positive surgical margin was associated with shorter RFS compared to free surgical margin (Log Rank test, p = 0.031). Moreover, in univariate Cox regression analysis, surgical margin ( p = 0.041; HR 0.325, 95% CI 0.110–0.956) and p53 expression ( p = 0.035; HR 0.328, 95% CI 0.116–0.925) were the significant factors associated with RFS. Conclusions Together, our findings suggest that positive surgical margin and p53 expression were potential prognostic factors of UTUC since both were associated with shorter RFS in Tunisian patients.