P53 AND BCL-2 PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN NON-SMALL-CELL LUNG-CARCINOMA

The diagnostic significance of p53 and bcl-2 proteins in epithelial no n-small-cell lung cancers was examined and the relationship between th ese proteins expression and other disease parameters, including stage of the disease and turner differentiation, were studied. We analyzed p 53 and bcl-2 proteins expression irt 60 imprint smears of freshly rese cted lung tumors (37 squamous and 23 adenocarcinomas) using the immuno cytochemical technique. There were seven patients with stage I disease , 24 with stage II, 23 with stage IIIa, and six with stage IIIb diseas e, according to the International Staging System classification Sixtee n of the turners were bcl-2 positive and 25 were p53 positive, Twenty tumors were negative for both bcl-2 and p53 (33.3%). Statistical analy sis showed no association between the incidence of p53 or bcl-2 positi vity. Adenocarcinoma or squamous carcinoma analysis showed significant associations between p53 positivity and poor differentiation and adva nced disease stage as well as bcl-2 and early disease stage and well-d ifferentiated tumors. There was also an association between the stage of the disease and the degree of differentiation of the tumors. In con clusion, bcl-2 positivity must be considered a good prognostic sign. O n the other hand p53 positivity seems to indicate, even in tumors at a relatively early stage, that a serious aggressive tumor which will no t be easily eradicated is present (C) 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.