title: The prognostic influence of bcl-2 in malignant glioma.
abstract: The bcl-2 gene is one of a complex group of genes which control programmed cell death. Bcl-2 acts to extend cell survival by blocking apoptosis, and thereby may influence tumour prognosis. This study of 187 high grade gliomas reviews clinicopathological prognostic features and the relationship to bcl-2 expression. Bcl-2 immunostaining was assessed in 159 specimens from these patients, by scoring systems of 0 to 3 for intensity of scoring and proportion of cells staining. Age, histology, pre- and post-operative performance status were found to be strongly predictive of survival (log rank test P<0.0001). The type of surgery performed did not influence survival in this group of patients. The expression of bcl-2 had a significant relationship with survival (univariate Cox model P=0.0302, hazard ratio 0.8, 95% confidence interval 0.65-0.98), with increased staining associated with improved survival. Multivariate analysis showed performance status, histology and proportion of cells staining for bcl-2 to be independently predictive of survival. Bcl-2 staining was not related to histological grade of tumours.
authors.affiliation: Northern Centre for Cancer Treatment, Newcastle General Hospital, Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne NE4 6BE, UK. fionamcdonald@nuth.northy.nhs.uk
authors.forename: F E
authors.initials: FE
authors.lastname: McDonald
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Ironside
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gregor
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Wyatt
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rye
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Adams
authors.forename: H W W
authors.initials: HW
authors.lastname: Potts
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D005910:Glioma / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007124:Immunoenzyme Techniques; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2