Expression of bcl-2 oncoprotein in Indian oral squamous cell carcinomas.

Thirty-nine oral squamous cell carcinomas were assessed for bcl-2 protein expression by immunostaining of tumour sections. Twenty-three per cent of these tumours showed strong nuclear staining for bcl-2 protein. Tumours of the cheek and tongue together accounted for 77% of overexpression of this protein. When bcl-2 expression was compared with p53 expression, they were found to be non-overlapping. These results suggest that overexpression of either of these genes may substitute each other in the development of oral carcinomas of Indians.