Analysis of bcl-2 protein expression and bcl-2/JH fusion gene formation inhepatocellular carcinoma

In attempt to understand the significance of bcl-2/JH fusion gene formation and bcl-2 protein expression in hepatocellular carcinoma, semi-nested in s itu PCR (SNISPCR) and immunohisto-chemistry technique were used to detect b cl-2/JH fusion gene and bcl-2 protein expression in 40 cases of HCC. The re sults showed that six of 40 cases of HCC expressed bcl-2 protein (positive rate 15%). Bcl-2/JH fusion gene was found in ten of 40 cases of HCC (positi ve rate 25%). No statistical difference of bcl-2/JH fusion formation existe d between bcl-2 protein positive and negative groups (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in bcl-2 protein expression and bcl-2/JH fusion formation in histopathological grades and metastases (P > 0.05). Because b cl-2 fusion gene was found in HCC, we think that bcl-2/JH fusion gene forma tion may not probably be a specific feature in lymphomas. Furthermore bcl-2 protein expression may not solely depend on bcl-2/JH fusion gene formation . Bcl-2 gene aberrant may not be related to differentiation and malignant b ehavior of HCC. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.