Overexpression of BCL-x protein in primary breast cancer is associated with high tumor grade and nodal metastases.

摘要: PURPOSE Dysregulation of genes that control apoptosis can contribute to tumor progression and increased drug resistance. The BCL2 gene its family member BCL-x as well the TP53 regulate have been shown a direct effect on sensitivity cancer cells radiation chemotherapeutic agents. METHODS expression BCL-x, BCL2-related protein is potent inhibitor apoptosis, was investigated by immunohistochemical immunoblot methods in 43 primary untreated breast carcinomas, conjunction with TP53. RESULTS overexpressed 18 42 (43%) invasive cancers when compared adjacent normal epithelium. Western blot analysis eight five cell lines indicated BCL-xL predominant expressed. Overexpression these tumors associated higher grade number positive nodes. In contrast, 19 (45%) strongly correlated estrogen receptor positivity, lower grade, smaller size, stage. immunostaining detected 12 40 (29%) inversely ER positivity. There no correlation between level age, status, status. At median follow-up time 216 weeks, there trend toward decreased overall survival patients overexpressing BCL-x. CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest significant fraction cancers. contrast expression, up-regulation may be marker progression. Additional data including larger numbers patients, more uniform treatments, longer are needed define prognostic significance overexpression during