title: Bcl-2 expression in malignant melanoma and its prognostic significance.
abstract: Programmed cell death (apoptosis) is now recognized as an important factor in tumour growth. Bcl-2 is an oncogene which promotes tumour progression by specifically inhibiting programmed cell death. Bcl-2 oncoprotein was measured using flow cytometry in 42 surgically excised regional lymph node metastases from patients with a median follow-up of 45 months. Fifteen patients in the study were found to have bcl-2 expression which was associated with significantly shorter survival (log-rank test, P<0.002). In addition, multivariate analysis confirmed the predictive value of bcl-2 independent of other established prognostic markers (chi(2)=7.02, P<0.01). Oncogenic control of programmed cell death is therefore important in melanoma progression and bcl-2 measurement provides a useful marker of prognosis for regional lymph node metastases.
authors.affiliation: RAFT Institute of Plastic Surgery, Mount Vernon Hospital, Middlesex, UK.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Grover
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Wilson
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins / Q000096:biosynthesis* / Q000235:genetics; D011519:Proto-Oncogenes / Q000502:physiology*; D016019:Survival Analysis
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D011518:Proto-Oncogene Proteins