title: Evaluation of Bcl-2, Bcl-x and cleaved caspase-3 in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and neurofibromas.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the expression of Bcl-2, Bcl-x, as well the presence of cleaved caspase-3 in neurofibromas and malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. The expression of Bcl-2 and Bcl-x and the presence of cleaved caspase 3 were compared to clinicopathological features of malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and their impact on survival rates were also investigated.
  
  
  METHODS
  The evaluation of Bcl-2, Bcl-x and cleaved caspase-3 was performed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarrays in 28 malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors and 38 neurofibromas. Immunoquantification was performed by computerized digital image analysis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apoptosis is altered in neurofibromas and mainly in malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors. High levels of cleaved caspase-3 are more common in tumors with more aggressive histological features and it is associated with lower disease free survival of patients with malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors.
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24033-090NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Karin S
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Cunha
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional de Traumatologia e Ortopedia, Serviço de Anatomia Patológica, 20940-070Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Anabela C
authors.initials: AC
authors.lastname: Caruso
authors.affiliation: Instituto Nacional do Câncer, Divisão de Patologia, 20220-400Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Paulo A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Faria
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Estatística do Instituto de Matemática e Estatística, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24020-140NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Licínio E da
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24033-090NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Eliene C da
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Fonseca
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Microbiologia e Imunologia, Centro Universitário Serra dos Órgãos/UNIFESO, 25964-004TeresópolisRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Geller
authors.affiliation: Instituto de Biologia, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, 21941-902Rio de JaneiroRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Rodrigo S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: de Moura-Neto
authors.affiliation: Programa de Pós-Graduação em Patologia, Hospital Universitário Antônio Pedro, Universidade Federal Fluminense, 24033-090NiteróiRJ, Brasil.
authors.forename: Vânia S
authors.initials: VS
authors.lastname: Lopes
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D053148:Caspase 3 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D018317:Nerve Sheath Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D046888:Tissue Array Analysis; D055815:Young Adult; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*; D051020:bcl-X Protein / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D051028:bcl-2-Associated X Protein; D051020:bcl-X Protein; D053148:Caspase 3