Immunohistochemical BCL-2 and Ki-67 expression predict survival in prostate cancer patients followed expectantly.

The prognostic value of BCL-2 expression, solely and combined with Ki-67 expression, was determined in prostate cancer patients followed expectantly. Furthermore, associations with well established prognostic markers were tested. Formalin fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour tissue obtained at diagnosis was immunohistochemically investigated in 221 patients with a 15 y median follow-up time. BCL-2 protein was expressed in 114 (52%) tumours and was significantly associated with tumour stage (P=0.01). The prognostic value of BCL-2 expression was significant, using both disease-specific (P=0.0015) and overall survival (P=0.005) as endpoint. Patients with a combined BCL-2 negative/Ki-67 'low' tumour had the most favourable prognosis. This combined BCL-2/Ki-67 variable was of independently prognostic value in both the entire population (P=0.0001) and in the clinically localized subpopulation (P=0.035).