BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of apoptosis may contribute to the process of prostate tumorigenesis by reducing the rate of cell death. Bcl-2 and bax are important molecules involved in the regulation of apoptosis. The aim of the present study is to examine apoptosis and related regulatory molecular markers in a group of Iranian patients with prostate cancer. METHODS: Paraffin-embedded tissues from 50 patients of prostate carcinoma were examined for the expression of bcl-2 antiapoptotic and bax proapoptotic markers and also proliferation marker, Ki-67, by immunohistochemistry. Detection of apoptotic cells was performed using TUNEL method. Correlation between apoptotic index, proliferation index and bcl-2 and bax expression with stage, pathological grade and Gleason score was determined. RESULTS: Apoptosis was detected in 12% of prostate cancers. No correlation was observed between apoptosis and differentiation status of carcinoma. Bcl-2 expression was detected in 21 of samples. A significant correlation between bcl-2 expression and Ki-67 staining index (r = 0.349, P = 0.012) was observed. High bax protein expression was shown in our study. We found a significant correlation between bax expression and stage of carcinoma (r = 0.388, P = 0.031), but not with the apoptosis index, suggesting the presence of a non-functional bax protein or the role of other proapoptotic molecules. CONCLUSION: The patients in the present study showed a different pattern of apoptosis positivity compared to other reports. Bax expression may be a useful marker for prognosis of prostate cancer.
BACKGROUND: Dysregulation of apoptosis may contribute to the process of prostate tumorigenesis by reducing the rate of cell death. Bcl-2 and bax are important molecules involved in the regulation of apoptosis. The aim of the present study is to examine apoptosis and related regulatory molecular markers in a group of Iranian patients with prostate cancer. METHODS:Paraffin-embedded tissues from 50 patients of prostate carcinoma were examined for the expression of bcl-2 antiapoptotic and bax proapoptotic markers and also proliferation marker, Ki-67, by immunohistochemistry. Detection of apoptotic cells was performed using TUNEL method. Correlation between apoptotic index, proliferation index and bcl-2 and bax expression with stage, pathological grade and Gleason score was determined. RESULTS: Apoptosis was detected in 12% of prostate cancers. No correlation was observed between apoptosis and differentiation status of carcinoma. Bcl-2 expression was detected in 21 of samples. A significant correlation between bcl-2 expression and Ki-67 staining index (r = 0.349, P = 0.012) was observed. High bax protein expression was shown in our study. We found a significant correlation between bax expression and stage of carcinoma (r = 0.388, P = 0.031), but not with the apoptosis index, suggesting the presence of a non-functional bax protein or the role of other proapoptotic molecules. CONCLUSION: The patients in the present study showed a different pattern of apoptosis positivity compared to other reports. Bax expression may be a useful marker for prognosis of prostate cancer.
Authors: Li-Yan Khor; Michelle Desilvio; Rile Li; Timothy J McDonnell; M Elizabeth H Hammond; William T Sause; Miljenko V Pilepich; Paul Okunieff; Howard M Sandler; Alan Pollack Journal: Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys Date: 2006-07-11 Impact factor: 7.038
Authors: In-Chang Cho; Han Soo Chung; Kang Su Cho; Jeong Eun Kim; Jae Young Joung; Ho Kyung Seo; Jinsoo Chung; Weon Seo Park; Eun Kyung Hong; Kang Hyun Lee Journal: Cancer Res Treat Date: 2010-09-30 Impact factor: 4.679