CLINICAL CONTRIBUTION OF BCL-2, P53 AND KI-67 PROTEINS IN PANCREATIC DUCTAL ADENOCARCINOMA

The expression of apoptosis suppressing protein bcl-2 tumour-suppresso r protein p53, and proliferation marker Ki-67 and their possible progn ostic value were analysed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Fifty-t wo % (34/64) of the samples were positive for bcl-2 and immunostaining were mainly localized in the cytoplasm of tumour cells. Bcl-2 express ion was not related to tumour grade, DNA ploidy or S-phase fraction or to any clinical parameters. In univariate analysis bcl-2 expression p redicted favourable outcome (p=0.008). Positive nuclear staining for p 53 was found in 40% (24/59) of samples and 80% (60/74) of the tumours were positive for Ki-67. p53 and Ki-67 expressions were not related to patient survival. According to our results, bcl-2 expression seems to be a predictor of disease outcome and may have some clinical value in human pancreatic cancer.