[bcl-2 and p53 protein expressions in the malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis].
OBJECTIVE
To study the impact of bcl-2 and p53 protein expressions on the malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis.


METHODS
Immunohistochemical technique was used to detect the bcl-2 and p53 protein expressions in: endometriosis (Group I, 22 patients), atypical hyperplasia of ectopic ovarian endometrial glands (Group II, 14 patients) and endometriosis with malignant change (Group III, 22 patients).


RESULTS
The positive bcl-2 protein expression rate of Group III was apparently higher than that of Group I (P < 0.05); The positive bcl-2 protein expression rate of Group II was clearly higher than that of Group I(P < 0.01). The positive p53 protein expression rate of Group III was higher than that of Group II (P < 0.01) and Group I (P < 0.01); In Group III, the positive p53 protein expression rate was higher in the malignant transformation area than in the endometriosis area (P < 0.05); In Group III, the positive bcl-2 protein expression rate in the endometriosis area was higher than that of Group I (P < 0.05); In Group II, the positive bcl-2 protein expression rate in the endometriosis area was higher than that of Group I (P < 0.01); However, the bcl-2 and p53 protein expressions were not related to the menopause, stage of disease or the survival (P > 0.05), nor were they related to the malignant transformation area in Group III (P > 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
It is possible that the overexpressions of bcl-2 protein or p53 protein play an important role in the malignant transformation of ovarian endometriosis. The bcl-2 protein (+) or p53 protein (+) endometriosis may signify a precancerous lesion.
Qian
J
J
Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou 310006, China.
Shi
Y
Y
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004715:Endometriosis / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 / Q000096:biosynthesis*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D016159:Tumor Suppressor Protein p53