J Korean Breast Cancer Soc.  2004 Jun;7(2):92-97. 10.4048/jkbcs.2004.7.2.92.

Expression of bcl-2 and Apoptosis and Its Relationship to Clinicopathological Prognostic Factors in Breast Cancer - A Study with Long Term Follow-up

• Lee JH
• Lee ES
• Kim CH

• KMID: 1917895
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4048/jkbcs.2004.7.2.92

Abstract

PURPOSE
The aims of this study were to evaluate the prognostic roles of bcl-2 and apoptosis in patients with breast cancer after long term follow-up, and the correlation with the known clinicopathological parameters. METHODS: 88 primary breast cancers were selected between March 1988 and February 1994. These cases were clinically followed up over 10 years (median follow-up 139 months). The immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2 protein and apoptosis were studied, and the findings compared to the clinicopathological parameters, such as estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and clinical stage. RESULTS: The bcl-2 protein was identified in 42 (47.7%) cases. The bcl-2 expression correlated positively with large tumor sizes, well differentiated tumors, and ER expression. No significant associations were seen between the apoptosis index and the clinicopathological parameters. The expression of bcl-2 and apoptosis were not correlated with the survival rate. The clinical stage and status of lymph node metastases were correlated with the survival rate, but no other clinicopathological parameters were correlated. CONCLUSION: Long term follow-up for breast cancer patients revealed that the expression of bcl-2 and apoptosis was not correlated with the survival rate.

Keyword

Apoptosis; Bcl-2; Breast cancer; Prognosis

MeSH Terms

Apoptosis*
Breast Neoplasms*
Breast*
Estrogens
Follow-Up Studies*
Humans
Lymph Nodes
Neoplasm Metastasis
Prognosis
Receptors, Progesterone
Survival Rate
Estrogens
Receptors, Progesterone