Expression of p53 and bcl-2 in Gastric Adenocarcinoma Affects the Prognosis and Survival Rate

Hong, Jong Hyun; Shin, Dong Woo; Paik, So Ya; Kim, Il Dong; Kim, Ki Ho; Park, Jin Soo; Suh, Byung Sun; Kim, Sang Wook; Lim, Hye In

Abstract

PURPOSE
p53 and bcl-2 are important markers of apoptosis. The expression of p53 and bcl-2 in gastric adenocarcinoma was examined in relation to prognosis and survival rate.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
The clinicopathologic data from 238 patients who underwent gastrectomies for gastric adenocarcinoma between December 1999 and July 2007 were reviewed. Immunohistochemical staining of gastric adenocarcinoma tissues embedded in paraffin blocks was performed using an Envision kit (DAKO, Glostrup, Denmark). Statistical comparisons were made between age, gender, tumor invasion, lymph node metastasis, TNM stage, Lauren's classification, cell differentiation, and the relationship with p53 and bcl-2.
RESULTS
The expression of p53 was related to cell differentiation (P=0.028) and UICC TNM stage (P<0.001). The expression of bcl-2 was related to UICC TNM stage (P=0.005). The co-expression of p53 and bcl-2 was related to UICC TNM stage (P=0.002). The co-expression group exhibited a greater reduction in the survival rate (P=0.001).
CONCLUSION
The expression of p53 and bcl-2 nuclear proteins has significant relationships with other conventional prognostic factors and the survival rate. Bcl-2 will be characterized through analysis of a greater number of patients and comparison with survival data over a longer period of time.