bcl-2 oncoprotein in surgically resected non-small cell lung cancer: possibly favorable prognostic factor in association with low incidence of distant metastasis.
BACKGROUND
The bcl-2 oncoprotein serves a regulatory function in permitting several cell types to die in an apoptotic process. Its overexpression probably plays a role in tumorigenesis and tumor development. The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of the bcl-2 oncoprotein in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC).


METHODS
Immunostaining for bcl-2 oncoprotein was performed on 182 operable NSCLCs.


RESULTS
Thirty-six patients (19.8%) showed a positive immunostaining for bcl-2 oncoprotein. Histologically, its incidence was higher in squamous cell carcinomas (29.6%). Its expression status was inversely correlated with tumor development-associated parameters such as tumor stage in NSCLCs, especially in squamous cell carcinomas, bcl-2 positive patients with NSCLCs, especially squamous cell carcinomas, showed better overall survival and disease-free survival (DFS). In a multivariate analysis, this oncoprotein status had prognostic value in DFS for NSCLCs and in overall survival for squamous cell carcinomas. The recurrence of bcl-2 positive NSCLCs was significantly uncommon in distant extrathoracic organs.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein in NSCLCs may be an early event of tumor development, especially in squamous cell carcinomas, and may be of importance in determining tumor progression and prognosis.
Higashiyama
M
M
Department of Thoracic Surgery, Center for Adult Diseases, Osaka, Japan.
Doi
O
O
Kodama
K
K
Yokouchi
H
H
Nakamori
S
S
Tateishi
R
R
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D015996:Survival Rate
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2