Abstract

Objective: To compare the frequency of expression of p53 in different grades of glioma.
Methodology: This descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences from January to December 2019. We included 65 glial neoplasms categorized as astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas and ependymomas and were graded into low grade and high grade. Brown colored nuclear staining of p53 was interpreted as: - ≤10% cells +ve, no staining, 10-25% cells +ve, weak intensity, 26-50% +ve, Moderate intensity and >51% +ve strong intensity. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 23
Results: Out of 65 patients, 41 (63.1%) were males and 24 (36.9%) females. Age range was 13-75 years (mean 39.3±14.6). Type of gliomas were as follows: astrocytomas 51 (78.4%), oligodendroglioma and ependymomas 7 each (10.8%). High grade gliomas were 26 (40%) while low grade gliomas were 39 (60%). Frequency of p53 expression in glial neoplasms was 52.3%. Stratification for type and grade of glioma was carried out and no correlation was found.
Conclusion: The frequency of p53 expression in glial neoplasms was 52.3%. The p53 expression was more common among low grade astrocytomas.

Key words: Astrocytomas, oligodendrogliomas, ependymomas, p53, gliomas.