Apoptotic index and bcl-2 expression as prognostic factors in colorectal carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
To examine programmed cell death in 57 colorectal carcinomas (49 primary tumours and 8 metastases) and determine the prognostic significance of apoptosis in colorectal cancer.


METHODS
Apoptotic index (AI) was ascertained by counting apoptotic bodies, using terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated digoxigenin nick end labelling (Tunel assay) and the expression of bcl-2 was examined immunohistochemically. Statistical analysis was used to test the value of clinical variables, histopathological data, AI and bcl-2 expression in predicting the clinical outcome of these patients and the survival function was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method.


RESULTS
AI was found to have a significant independent effect on survival (p = 0.0006), with lower values of AI conveying better survival.


CONCLUSIONS
In summary, these findings reveal that AI is a useful prognostic factor in colorectal carcinoma.
Bendardaf
R
R
Department of Oncology and Radiotherapy, Turku University Central Hospital, Turku, Finland. riyben@utu.fi
Ristamäki
R
R
Kujari
H
H
Laine
J
J
Lamlum
H
H
Collan
Y
Y
Pyrhönen
S
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D017209:Apoptosis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000556:secondary; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D020287:In Situ Nick-End Labeling; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis*; D016019:Survival Analysis
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2