Bcl-2 Gene Expression in Human Breast Cancers in Iran

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is among the five most common cancers and ranks first among cancers diagnosed in Iranian women. Screening and treatment of this disease with molecular methods, especially regarding high incidences at early age and advanced stage, is essential. Several genes with altered expression have been identified by cDNA microarray studies in breast cancer, with the Bcl-2 gene indicated as a likely candidate. In this study, we studied Bcl-2 gene expression levels in parallel tumor and non-tumor breast tissues. Materials and Methods: Forty samples including 21 tumor, 16 non tumor (marginal) and 3 benign breast tissues which were all pathologically diagnosed, were subjected to RNA extraction and polyA RT-PCR with the expression level of Bcl-2 quantified using real-time PCR. Results: There is higher expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene in tumor samples compared with marginal samples, but not attaining significance(p>0.05). Bcl-2 expression in 14 (66.7%) of the cases of tumor samples and 9 (56.3%) cases of the marginal samples were positive. Comparison of the expression of the Bcl-2 gene in histological grade showed that a high expression of Bcl-2 was associated with a high histological grade (p<0.41). Conclusions: Our data suggests that dysregulated Bcl-2 gene expression is potentially involved in the pathogenesis of breast cancer. Using gene expression analysis may significantly improve our ability for screening cancer patients and will prove a powerful tool in the diagnosis and prognostic evaluation of the disease whilst aiding the cooperative group trials in the Bcl-2 based therapy project.

Low Expression of the bcl2 Gene in Gastric Adenocarcinomas in Mazandaran Province of Iran

“…Rostamizadeh et al demonstrated the higher expression levels of the Bcl-2 gene in tumor samples compared with marginal samples, however, this was not a significant difference (p>0.05). (Rostamizadeh et al, 2013). But, In our study The level of the expression of BCL2 gene in control group increased compared with non tumoural marginal and tumoural group.…”

Genetic and molecular biology of breast cancer among Iranian patients

“…BCL-2 over expression was positively associated with tumor grade and ER/PR, and negatively with tumor size. There was also a significant correlation between high levels of BCL-2 mRNA expression and survival rates [58]. PTEN is a tumor suppressor via the stimulation of apoptosis in tumor cells and suppression of cell proliferation.…”

Gene Expression Analyses of HER-2/neu and ESR1 in Patients with Breast Cancer

“…Breast cancer is one of the three most common cancer in Iranian population and the highest rate of cancers diagnosed among Iranian women. Although the incidence rate of breast cancer in Iranian women is almost six times lower than Caucasian women in the United States (23.65 per 100,000 to 140.8 per 100,000), but the number of newly diagnosed cases is rising rapidly (8)(9)(10). Breast cancer is very poor prognosis and there are limited therapeutic options for patients with advanced and metastatic forms.…”