Prognostic significance of the bcl-2 apoptotic family of proteins in primary and recurrent cervical cancer

Abstract

bcl-2 is one of a family of genes that control the apoptotic threshold of a cell. bcl-2 protein and its anti-apoptotic homologue, mcl-1, with the pro-apoptotic protein, bax, are thought to function by forming homo-and heterotypic dimers that then control the progression to apoptosis. p53 is also involved as a down-regulator of bcl-2 and a promoter of bax. To determine the effect of these apoptotic mechanisms, we used immunohistochemistry to determine the prognostic significance of the expression of bcl-2, mcl-1, bax and p53 in primary and recurrent cervical cancer. Tissues from 46 patients with primary cervical cancer and 28 women with recurrent carcinoma were stained for bcl-2, mcl-1, bax and p53. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis was performed using the log-rank test for differences between groups. In the primary disease group, positive staining for bcl-2 was associated with a better 5-year survival (bcl-2 +ve, 84% vs bcl-2 -ve, 53%, P = 0.03). Positive staining for p53 was associated with a survival disadvantage (p53 +ve, 4-year survival 38% vs p53 -ve, 4-year survival 78%, P= 0.02). mcl-1 and bax staining were not useful as prognostic indicators in primary disease. No marker was prognostic in recurrent disease. Positive bcl-2 staining defines a group of patients with primary disease with a good prognosis. p53, an activator of the bax promoter, identifies a group with a worse outcome. In recurrent disease, none of the markers reflected prognosis.

Chlorella vulgaris triggers apoptosis in hepatocarcinogenesis-induced rats

“…Finally, 3,3′-diaminobenzidine (DAB; Sigma, St. Louis, MO) was used to develop the colour, and haematoxylin was used for counterstaining. Positive staining was recorded when more than 5% of cells were stained (Crawford et al, 1998). The mean percentage of positive staining in the cytoplasm of liver tissues was determined in at least 10 areas at 400× magnification.…”

A comparative study of p53 expression in premalignant and malignant cervical lesions at a tertiary care institute of Rohilkhand region, India

“…[9][10]12,[14][15][16] In the present study, a total of 53 cases were enrolled, majority being malignant (84.91%). Common histological types among malignant and premalignant lesions were HSIL and SCC, respectively.…”

“…[12] Various authors have reported the variable expression of p53 in premalignant and malignant lesions of cervix. [9][10]12,[14][15][16] This study was undertaken to observe the expression and association of p53 and grades of p53 in premalignant and malignant cervical lesions and also with their histopathological subtypes.…”

“…[8] However, the results on p53 are quiet controversial; some workers have suggested the role of p53 in early carcinogenesis, while some others are of the opinion that p53 does not play an important role in carcinogenesis. [9][10][11][12][13] Some studies have shown that the low expression of p53, in carcinoma cells before radiotherapy, is regarded as a predictive factor for good prognosis [13] and positive staining for p53 was associated with survival disadvantage. [12] Various authors have reported the variable expression of p53 in premalignant and malignant lesions of cervix.…”

“…[9][10][11][12][13] Some studies have shown that the low expression of p53, in carcinoma cells before radiotherapy, is regarded as a predictive factor for good prognosis [13] and positive staining for p53 was associated with survival disadvantage. [12] Various authors have reported the variable expression of p53 in premalignant and malignant lesions of cervix. [9][10]12,[14][15][16] This study was undertaken to observe the expression and association of p53 and grades of p53 in premalignant and malignant cervical lesions and also with their histopathological subtypes.…”