Bcl-2, bax, bcl-x(L) and bcl-x(S) expression in neoplastic and normal cervical tissue

We simultaneously assessed bcl-2, bax, bcl-x(L) and bcl-x(S) expression lev els by Western blotting on 53 primary untreated cervical cancers and 15 nor mal samples. Bcl-2 showed a trend to be lower in neoplastic than in normal samples (P < 0.01), while no significant difference was observed for bax an d bcl-x(L). Bcl-x(S) was barely detectable in only a few samples. Interesti ngly, in cervical cancer, bcl-2 and bcl-x(L) were directly correlated (P < 0.01). A significant association of bcl-2 levels with age (P < 0.021) and m enopausal status (P < 0.041) in cervical cancer patients as well as in cont rol patients was observed. Bcl-2, bax and bcl-x(L) levels in responding and non-responding patients were not differently distributed, Bcl-2, bax and b cl-x(L) are likely to play a role in the natural history of cervical tumors , but their clinical significance in predicting response to treatment and c linical outcome needs long-term follow-up studies. (C) 2000 published by El sevier Science Ireland Ltd. published by Elsevier Science Ltd.