Expression of Bcl-2 Protein in Non-small Cell Lung Carcinoma

Abstract

We immunohistochemically investigated the expression of Bcl-2 protein in non-small cell lung carcinoma. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was detected in 7 cases of 107 adenocarcinoma (6.5%), 17 of 58 squamous cell carcinoma (29.3%), 0 of 23 adenosquamous carcinoma (0%), one of 11 large cell carcinoma (9.1%) and one of one adenoid cystic carcinoma (100%). The Bcl-2 protein was expressed significantly more highly in squamous cell carcinoma than in adenocarcinoma or adenosquamous carcinoma (p<0.001, p<0.005). The expression of Bcl-2 protein was also significantly higher in hilar type, and in early stage cases than in central type, and in advanced cases (p<0.05, p<0.05). The survival rate was better among patients with Bcl-2 positive cancers, both in the group as a whole (p<0.1) and in the group with squamous cell carcinoma (p<0.05). In the group with stage I and II squamous cell carcinoma, the prognosis of patients with Bcl-2 positive cancers was significantly better than negative cases (p<0.04). Bcl-2 protein may play a role in tumor progression and be a general prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. © 1995, The Japan Lung Cancer Society. All rights reserved.