Expression of bcl-2 and p53 in Merkel cell carcinoma. An immunohistochemical study.
Bcl-2 is a protooncogene thought to play a role in oncogenesis by inhibiting programmed cell death. It may interact with p53, a tumor-suppressor gene which induces apoptosis in certain circumstances. We have studied these gene products by immunohistochemistry in 15 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, a tumor characterised by prominent apoptosis. Five cases showed moderate/strong staining for p53, with moderate/strong bcl-2 staining in 10 patients. In seven cases abundance of p53 and bcl-2 expression was mutually exclusive. Two patients died within 1 year of diagnosis and six had nodal recurrences. Gene expression and survival appear unrelated. The role of Bcl-2 and p53 in tumorigenesis is complicated and may be inter-related with other genes known to be involved in programmed cell death.
Kennedy
M M
MM
Department of Pathology, Aberdeen University, Foresterhill, Scotland.
Blessing
K
K
King
G
G
Kerr
K M
KM
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D015266:Carcinoma, Merkel Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology; D004396:Coloring Agents; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D019254:Genes, bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics; D016158:Genes, p53 / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D015996:Survival Rate; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000235:genetics*
D004396:Coloring Agents; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53