title: Immunohistochemical analysis of B-cell lymphoma -2 in pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Salivary gland tumors form a major area in the field of oral pathology. B-cell lymphoma -2 (Bcl-2) is an anti-apoptotic gene with up-regulation in various neoplasms. The aim of the present case-control study was to comparatively investigate the expression of Bcl-2 protein in pleomorphic adenoma (PA) and mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) and assess its potential diagnostic role in differentiating these tumors.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 28 cases (18 specimens of PA [control] and 10 blocks of MEC [case]) were selected for analysis by streptavidin-biotin peroxidase method with antibody against Bcl-2. The percentage of positive cells was calculated from a minimum of 1000 neoplastic cells and H-score was identified (% positive cells × intensity of staining). Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA, t-test, Spearman, Chi-square and Fisher tests (α = 0.05).
  
  
  RESULTS
  bcl-2 expression was shown in 13 cases (71%) of PA and 3 cases (30%) of MEC. In addition, four cases of PA showed strong staining. There was a significant difference between the expression intensity of Bcl-2 in the two tumors (P = 0.048) according to ANOVA. No correlation was observed between Bcl-2 expression with the size and location of tumors (P > 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bcl-2 expression might be used for differentiating these tumors. Bcl-2 protein was overexpressed in PA compared with MEC. Hence, it seems that unlike what was observed in PA, Bcl-2 probably does not participate in the pathogenesis of MEC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Saede
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Atarbashi
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathology, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Maryam
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elahi
authors.affiliation: General Dentist, School of Dentistry, Ahwaz University of Medical Sciences, Ahwaz, Iran.
authors.forename: Mehdi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Khani
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Anatomy and Morphology, Dental Branch, Islamic Azad University and Farzan Clinical Research Institute, Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Vahid
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Rakhshan
keywords: B-cell lymphoma-2; mucoepidermoid carcinoma; pleomorphic adenoma; salivary gland tumor