Bcl-2 oncogene expression in estrogen receptor-positive and negative breast carcinoma.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate Bcl-2 oncogene expression in estrogen receptor (ER)-positive and negative breast carcinomas.


METHODS
A study involving 72 cases of infiltrating ductal carcinoma of the breast in postmenopausal women divided into two groups: Group A (ER positive, n=37) and Group B (ER negative, n=35). Immunohistochemical analysis of bcl-2 expression was carried out semiquantitatively based on the percentage of stained tumoral cells and the intensity of staining. The chi-square test was used in the statistical analysis of the data and significance was established at p < 0.05.


RESULTS
Bcl-2 oncogene expression was statistically greater in tumors of Group A (59.5%) compared to those of Group B (8.6%), (p < 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
Bcl-2 had a significantly greater expression in the ER-positive breast tumors compared to ER-negative tumors.
dos Santos
L G
LG
Department of Pathology, Federal University of Piauí, Teresina, Piauí, Brazil.
Lopes-Costa
P V
PV
dos Santos
A R
AR
Facina
G
G
da Silva
B B
BB
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry*; D005260:Female; D019254:Genes, bcl-2; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008875:Middle Aged; D009857:Oncogenes; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000032:analysis; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen / Q000032:analysis*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2; D011960:Receptors, Estrogen