EXPRESSION OF BCL-2 PROTEIN IN ESOPHAGEAL SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMAS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH LYMPH-NODE METASTASIS

BACKGROUND. Recent studies on the role of bcl-2 in malignant tumors ha ve suggested its prognostic significance. The goals of the current stu dy were to determine any correlation between bcl-2 expression in esoph ageal squamous cell carcinoma and histopathology, lymph node metastasi s, and clinical variables, and to assess its applicability as a parame ter for prognosis. METHODS. Immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2 (cl one 124) was performed on archival material from 105 esophageal squamo us cell carcinomas. The results were compared among patient subgroups. RESULTS. bcl-2 was expressed in 58% of esophageal carcinomas, demonst rating positive correlations with a lack of keratinization and an earl y stage of disease. Lymph node metastasis was significantly less frequ ently observed in the subset of early stage carcinomas with bcl-2 stai ning. Univariate analysis revealed significantly longer disease free s urvival in patients with bcl-2 positive carcinomas than in those bcl-2 negative. bcl-2 expression did not have independent prognostic value in a multivariate survival analysis. CONCLUSIONS. bcl-2 is frequently expressed in esophageal carcinomas, and this expression is positively associated with nonkeratinization and an early stage, whereas it is ne gatively linked with lymph node metastasis and may indicate a favorabl e prognosis. (C) 1997 American Cancer Society.