title: Bcl-2 expression and its possible influence on malignant transformation of oral lichen planus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate the malignant potential of oral lichen planus (OLP) on the basis of the expression of the Bcl-2 marker in healthy individuals (H), patients with OLP and patients with squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and to establish potential interdependence between expression of Bcl-2 and the different clinical and histopathological parameters in H, OLP, and SCC.
  
  
  METHODS
  Immunohistochemistry for Bcl-2 was carried out using an avidin-biotin peroxidase complex method. Tissue sections were treated with mouse monoclonal antibody against Bcl-2 (124, DAKO A/S, Denmark; dilution 1/100). Immunohistochemical parameters measured included total tissue area, total stained area and intensity of stain.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Keratinocytes were not Bcl-2 positive in H and were sparsely positive in OLP. The number of lymphocytes stained with Bcl-2 was significantly lower in H as compared to patients with SCC and OLP. Bcl-2 staining was weak to moderate in OLP, and moderate to intense in SCC. Bcl-2-positive lymphocytes were more expressed in older OLP patients (>55 years), and in OLP specimens with orthokeratinized epithelium, less developed acanthosis and highest grade of lymphocyte expression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bcl-2 may not serve as a prognostic biomarker in oral cancer development from OLP, but it could help in selecting patients with higher need of follow up to prevent malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Clinic of Periodontology and Oral Medicine, Faculty of Dentistry, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia. hadzi04@yahoo.com
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hadzi-Mihailovic
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Raybaud
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Monteil
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Cakic
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Djuric
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Jankovic
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000235:genetics*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015603:Keratinocytes / Q000473:pathology; D017676:Lichen Planus, Oral / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D008214:Lymphocytes / Q000473:pathology; D008297:Male; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000473:pathology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics*; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000276:immunology; D012016:Reference Values
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2