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bcl‐2 oncoprotein in surgically resected nonsmall cell lung cancer: Possibly favorable prognostic factor in association with low incidence of distant metastasis
Author(s) -
Higashiyama Masahiko,
Doi Osamu,
Kodama Ken,
Yokouchi Hideoki,
Nakamori Shoji,
Tateishi Ryuhei
Publication year - 1997
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1096-9098(199701)64:1<48::aid-jso10>3.0.co;2-s
Subject(s) - immunostaining , medicine , carcinogenesis , lung cancer , cell , cancer , metastasis , pathology , tumor progression , epidermoid carcinoma , immunohistochemistry , incidence (geometry) , carcinoma , cancer research , oncology , biology , genetics , physics , optics
Background The bcl‐2 oncoprotein serves a regulatory function in permitting several cell types to die in an apoptotic process. Its overexpression probably plays a role in tumorigenesis and tumor development. The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological and prognostic significance of the bcl‐2 oncoprotein in patients with nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods Immunostaining for bcl‐2 oncoprotein was performed on 182 operable NSCLCs. Results Thirty‐six patients (19.8%) showed a positive immunostaining for bcl‐2 oncoprotein. Histologically, its incidence was higher in squamous cell carcinomas (29.6%). Its expression status was inversely correlated with tumor development‐associated parameters such as tumor stage in NSCLCs, especially in squamous cell carcinomas. bcl‐2 positive patients with NSCLCs, especially squamous cell carcinomas, showed better overall survival and disease‐free survival (DFS). In a multivariate analysis, this oncoprotein status had prognostic value in DFS for NSCLCs and in overall survival for squamous cell carcinomas. The recurrence of bcl‐2 positive NSCLCs was significantly uncommon in distant extrathoracic organs. Conclusions The expression of bcl‐2 oncoprotein in NSCLCs may be an early event of tumor development, especially in squamous cell carcinomas, and may be of importance in determining tumor progression and prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 64:48–54 © 1997 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.