Bcl-2 Protein Expression Correlates with Better Prognosis in Patients with Advanced Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Abstract

Background: Regulation of apoptosis is an important mechanism during the development of tumors including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between p53 and bcl-2 expression and various clinicopathological features and survival in patients with NSCLC. Materials and Methods: Histological specimens obtained from 120 patients with stage I-III NSCLC were examined immunohistochemically for p53 and bcl-2. Results: Positive immunostaining for p53 was observed in 50 and for bcl-2 in 35 patients. Tumors with lymph node metastasis were significantly more likely to be bcl-2-positive. However, there was no correlation between p53 immunostaining and clinicopathological parameters. Cox proportional hazard multiple regression analyses identified gender, N status and bcl-2 expression as independent prognostic factors. When advanced stage tumors or tumors with lymph node metastasis were analyzed, a more favorable survival was noted in patients with bcl-2-positive tumors than those with bcl-2-negative tumors. Conclusion: Bcl-2 protein expression correlates with better prognosis in patients with advanced NSCLC.