title: Estimation of prognostic value of Bcl-xL gene expression in non-small cell lung cancer.
abstract: The aim of our study was to estimate the expression of the Bcl-xL gene, a member of Bcl-2 family, in NSCLC patients. A total of 60 consecutive patients diagnosed with NSCLC that underwent chemotherapy prior to surgery were reviewed. Bcl-xL expression was assessed on paraffin sections by in situ hybridization (ISH) and immunohistochemistry (IMH). We observed the presence of mRNA of Bcl-xL gene and its protein product overexpression in most patients (60 and 81.7%, respectively). In material examined no significant correlation was observed between the pattern of Bcl-xL or protein expression and any clinicopathological factors evaluated. The expression of Bcl-xL protein was low (less than 10% positive cells) in 11 patients (median survival time 29 months) as compared to 49 patients with overexpression (median survival time 21.0 months). The difference was not of statistic significance (p=0.27). In examined group the Bcl-xL mRNA was found in 36 patients, while it was absent in 24 cases. Median survival time was 14.5 and 86.5 months, respectively (p=0.001). In addition, 19.4% of 5-year survivals were achieved in patients with overexpression and 54.2% in patients with no mRNA present (p=0.002). The percentage of 5-year survival in patients with protein expression assessed by IMH was 30.6% (p=0.31). The estimation of Bcl-xL expression on mRNA and protein level was compared by the means of sign test and the significant difference was found (p=0.009). The inconsistency was related to 35% of cases. In comparison with IMH, ISH technique appeared to be more specific and accurate in assessment of 5-year survival (25 and 65%; 65 and 70%, respectively). The results of our study indicate that Bcl-xL mRNA overexpression may suggest poor prognosis in NSCLC.
authors.affiliation: The Oncology Center of Lublin Land, and Department of Human Genetics, Medical University of Lublin, Poland. bkb@gazeta.pl
authors.forename: Bozenna
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Karczmarek-Borowska
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Filip
authors.forename: Jacek
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Wojcierowski
authors.forename: Agata
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Smoleń
authors.forename: Elzbieta
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Korobowicz
authors.forename: Iwona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Korszen-Pilecka
authors.forename: Małgorzata
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zdunek
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002289:Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D012334:RNA, Neoplasm; D051020:bcl-X Protein