P63 expression in gestational trophoblastic disease: Correlation with proliferation and apoptotic dynamics

p63 regulates cell growth and differentiation and contributes to tumorigenesis through its complex isoforms. Gestational trophoblastic disease encompasses a heterogeneous family of lesions with different malignant potential that arise from various trophoblast subpopulations. This study investigated the expression of p63 isoforms in various trophoblastic diseases and correlated with clinical progress, proliferation, and apoptotic activities. 4A4 and anti-p40 antibodies were applied to assess expressions of total and ΔNp63 isoforms in 20 placentas, 62 hydatidiform moles, 9 choriocarcinomas, 5 placenta site trophoblastic tumors, and 2 epithelioid trophoblastic tumors immunohistochemically. The immunoreactivity of p63 was localized to the nuclei of cytotrophoblast, villous, and chorionic-type intermediate trophoblasts with significant correlation between 2 p63 indices (P 0.05). Both p63 indices positively correlated with the proliferative index (Ki67) (P <0.05), apoptotic index (M30) (P <0.005), p53 (P <0.005), and p21 WAF1/CIP1 expression (P