Expression of Bcl-2, bax and Bcl-XL in meningioma cells and its clinical significance

Objective To explore the relationship between expression of apoptosis-modulating proteins and histopathological grade and recurrence in meningioma. Methods Immunohistochemistry method (LSAB) was used to detect the expression of Bcl-2, Bax Bnd Bcl-X_L in 80 cases of meningioma including benign group (38 cases), atypical group (26 cases) and malignant group (16 cases). Results Expression of Bcl-2 oncoprotein positive in 88% cases in malignant group was significantly higher than that of benign group (37%,P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the expression positive rate of Bax, Bcl-X_L oncoprotein among benign, atypical and maligant groups (P>0.05), but Bcl-2+Bcl-X_L/Bax was associated statistically with meningioma grade (P<0.01). There was no significant difference in the compare expression of Bcl-2, Bax, Bcl-X_L oncoprotein positive in non-recurrent, initially resected recurrent and recurrent meningiomas (P>0.05). Conclusion Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-X_L might play important roles in meningiomas and BCL-2+BCL-X_L/Bax is useful parameters for estimation of biological behavior of meningiomas.