Chronic pancreatitis is a risk factor for development of pancreatic cancer. Molecular mechanisms responsible for development of malignant disease on the basis of chronic pancreatitis has been studied. The role of tumour suppresor gene p53 has been considered. In the present paper the state of p53 in the specimens from normal, chronic pancreatitis and tumor pancreatic tissue were investigated. The functional analysis of separated allels in yeast (FASAY) and its variant split assay has been used for assessment of p53 state. Total 30 specimens from 22 patients were analysed: 7 normal tissue, 11 chronic pancreatitis (CP), 2 islet cell pancreatic cancer and 7 ductal adenocarcinomas. One intestinal adenocarcinoma penetrating to the papila of Vater from duodenum to pancreas in a patient with chronic pancreatitis was analysed. Mutation of p53 was detected in one specimen of adenocarcinoma and one from intestinal adenocarcinoma.

        Key words: chronic pancreatitis – pancreatic tumours – P53 tumour suppressor gene – FASAY – K-ras