bcl-2 Expression in Prostate Cancer and its Relationship to Cell Cycle and Prognosis

Background: bcl-2 protein is an oncoprotein encoded by J protooncogene bcl-2 which is thought to be a key gene for the regulation of cell life and death. bcl-2 protein has been reported to be expressed in a subset of prostate cancers, and its biological role in this disedse has not yet been elucidated. This present study focused on the cell cycle analysis of bcl-2 immunoreactivity in prostate tumor samples and correlated findings with the prognosis of the patients.
Methods: Archival tissues from 37 prostate cancers were submitted for immunohistochemistry and DNA analysis via flow cytometry. All tissues were obtained before the patients received my treatment. Immunohistochemistry was performed using streptavidin biotin procedures, and DNA flow cytometry was done by J combination of two methods.
Results: Fourteen of 37 prostate cmcers (38%) exhibited bcl-2 immunoreactivity. bcl-2 positive prostate cancers significantly correlated with DNA aneuploidy and higher proliferation indices, but not with histological differentiation. Clinically, there was a poorer prognosis for patients with bcl-2 po sitive prostate cancer.
Conclusions: Our data indicates that bcl-2 protein expression in prostate canctv is associated with cell proliferation and may serve as a predictive factor for the prognosis of prostate cancer.