EXPRESSION OF BCL-2 IN SMALL-CELL LUNG-CARCINOMA CELLS

We have investigated the expression of bcl-2 protein in a panel of sma ll cell lung carcinoma (SCLC) cells lines. Five of six cell lines exam ined expressed relatively high levels of bcl-2 protein and transcripts . The bcl-2 expression in SCLC cells, however, was not always associat ed with myc expression. Since dysregulation of bcl-2 may be involved i n the course of tumorigenesis and/or in the acquisition of drug resist ance of tumor cells, the expression of bcl-2 in SCLC cells may become an important indicator in the prognosis or treatment of SCLC.