Bcl-2 expression as a prognostic factor of survival of gastric carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Although the bcl-2 proto-oncogene is important in determining tumor cell susceptibility to apoptosis, no data about the clinical importance in gastric cancer are available.


METHODS
We analyzed bcl-2 and p53 expression, proliferative activity, and tumor apoptosis in locally advanced gastric carcinomas from 84 patients.


RESULTS
Immunohistochemical analysis indicated that 41.7% and 48.8% of the tumors were bcl-2-positive, respectively. The apoptotic fraction was significantly lower in bcl-2-positive than negative tumors. Univariate analysis indicated low apoptotic fraction was one of the poor prognostic factors. Multivariate analysis showed a trend toward improved survival in bcl-2-positive patients. In patients with lymph node metastases more severe than group 2 lymph node, survival was significantly longer in those with bcl-2-positive tumors.


CONCLUSIONS
The expression of bcl-2 and the high apoptotic fraction were concluded to be important prognostic factors of survival in patients with advanced gastric cancer.
Department of Surgery, Tochigi Cancer Center, Yohnan, Japan.
T
T
Inada
S
S
Kikuyama
A
A
Ichikawa
S
S
Igarashi
Y
Y
Ogata
D000230:Adenocarcinoma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D011379:Prognosis; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000378:metabolism
C000715470:MAS1 protein, human; D000090063:Proto-Oncogene Mas; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53