OBJECTIVES: To analyze the expression pattern of apoptotic related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 and HPV virus infection in samples of penile carcinomas and adjacent tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Bax and Bcl-2 were assayed by Western Blot and HPV virus presence by PCR in 16 tumor samples, 11 adjacent skin and 10 adjacent corpus cavernosum samples. Normal penile tissues were used as controls. RESULTS: Comparative to control samples, tumors showed an imbalance in Bax and Bcl-2 expression. These alterations were also observed in tumor adjacent tissues. We found that 37.5% (6/16) of our samples were infected by HPV. CONCLUSIONS: Bax and Bcl-2 imbalance is probably associated with the neoplastic process. No correlation between Bax/Bcl-2 balance and patient age and tumor differentiation was found. HPV infection should not be the major cause for penis cancer development.
OBJECTIVES: To analyze the expression pattern of apoptotic related proteins Bax and Bcl-2 and HPV virus infection in samples of penile carcinomas and adjacent tissues. MATERIAL AND METHODS:Bax and Bcl-2 were assayed by Western Blot and HPV virus presence by PCR in 16 tumor samples, 11 adjacent skin and 10 adjacent corpus cavernosum samples. Normal penile tissues were used as controls. RESULTS: Comparative to control samples, tumors showed an imbalance in Bax and Bcl-2 expression. These alterations were also observed in tumor adjacent tissues. We found that 37.5% (6/16) of our samples were infected by HPV. CONCLUSIONS:Bax and Bcl-2 imbalance is probably associated with the neoplastic process. No correlation between Bax/Bcl-2 balance and patient age and tumor differentiation was found. HPV infection should not be the major cause for penis cancer development.