The expression of p53 protein was evaluated in canine transmissible venereal tumor (CTVT), as following: natural occurrence (n=8); resistant to chemotherapy (n=4); and allogeneic transplanted in progression (n=8), stable (n=8), and regression (n=8)stages. The collected specimens were submitted to GM1 immunohistochemical reaction. Results showed a mean percentage of immunomarked cells around 18.6% in CTVT of natural occurrence, 23.8% in CTVT resistant to chemotherapy, 22.9% in allogeneic transplanted CTVT in both progression and stable stages, and 35.8% in transplanted CTVT in regression stage. The results suggest that there is a functional abnormality in p53 gene and its products in the studied tumors; although, it is not possible to correlate the percentage of cells marked by p53 and a prognosis.
immunohistochemistry; p53; oncology; transmissible venereal tumor
