title: Expression and prognostic significance of bcl-2 and bax in the progression and clinical outcome of transitional bladder cell carcinoma.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the mRNA expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax both in normal and tumoral bladder tissues of patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder and investigate potential correlation between this expression ratio and clinical outcome.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this experimental study, we used real time-PCR to investigate the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax both in normal and tumoral bladder tissues. The Bcl-2/ Bax expression ratio was determined in tumoral bladder tissues of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (n=40) and correlation between expression ratios and the emergence of early relapses in a follow-up of 14-30 months was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Relapse-free time in 14/31 patients (45.16%) with Bcl-2/Bax>1 was shorter than 9 months (range of 2-9 months) with 5.7 months average median while 17/31 patients (54.84%) with Bcl-2/Bax<1 are currently relapse-free (14-30 months). Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels were not solely correlated with clinical outcome and progression of carcinogenesis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mRNA expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in tumoral bladder tissues may serve as a significant prognostic indicator in predicting the clinical outcome in low grade non-invasive bladder cancer.
authors.affiliation: 1.National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Bahram
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Golestani Eimani
authors.affiliation: 1.National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad Hossein
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Sanati
authors.affiliation: 1.National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Masoud
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Houshmand
authors.affiliation: 1.National Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Mitra
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ataei
authors.affiliation: 2.Guilan University, Rasht, Iran.
authors.forename: Fatemeh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Akbarian
authors.affiliation: 3.Urology and Nephrology Research Center (UNRC), Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Naser
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Shakhssalim
keywords: Apoptosis; Bax; Bcl-2; Bladder; Clinical Outcome