Plasma p53 protein and anti-p53 antibody expression in vinyl chloride monomer workers in Taiwan

J Occup Environ Med. 1999 Jun;41(6):521-6. doi: 10.1097/00043764-199906000-00020.

Abstract

Vinyl chloride (VC) workers are known to be at risk for development of angiosarcoma of the liver (ASL), a rare tumor. Previously, a study of p53 gene mutations in tumors of VC-exposed workers found that 50% of liver angiosarcomas contained such mutations. Mutant p53 oncoprotein and anti-p53 antibodies can also be found in the sera of ASL patients and VC-exposed workers without cancer. Workers in Taiwan have also been exposed to VC, and some have contracted liver tumors. In this study, we used enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays to detect mutant p53 protein and anti-p53 antibodies in the plasma of VC-exposed workers in Taiwan. Thirty-three of 251 (13.2%) VC-workers tested positive for the p53 overexpression (10% with positive mutant p53 protein and 3.6% with positive anti-p53) in their plasma, but only 2 of 36 controls (5.6%) tested positive (2.8% with positive mutant p53 protein and 2.8% with positive anti-p53). There was a significant association between cumulative VC exposure concentration and positive p53 expression (P = 0.032) among VC workers after we adjusted for age, hepatitis, drinking, and smoking status. In summary, P53 overexpression (mutant p53 protein or anti-p53 antibody) can be found in the plasma of VC workers in Taiwan, and a significant dose-response relationship exists between plasma p53 overexpression and VC cumulative exposure concentration.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antibodies / analysis
  • Biomarkers / analysis
  • Carcinogens / adverse effects*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Hemangiosarcoma / etiology
  • Hemangiosarcoma / genetics
  • Humans
  • Liver Neoplasms / etiology
  • Liver Neoplasms / genetics
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Occupational Exposure / analysis*
  • Taiwan
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / biosynthesis*
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / blood
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / immunology
  • Vinyl Chloride / adverse effects*

Substances

  • Antibodies
  • Biomarkers
  • Carcinogens
  • Tumor Suppressor Protein p53
  • Vinyl Chloride