Bax and Bcl-X-L expression are not related to prognosis in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Bax and Bcl-X-L genes play an important role in the apoptotic pathway. Thes e expressions were immunohistochemically investigated in 111 patients with advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. The positive rates of p53, Bax , and Bcl-XL were 42.3, 38.7, and 46.8%, respectively. The expression of bo th Bax and Bcl-XL was not related to clinicopathological findings, includin g survival. Neither Bax nor Bcl-XL expression correlated with p53 overexpre ssion. Five-year survival rate did not differ according to the co-expressio n pattern of Bax and Bcl-XL. In 44 patients who underwent chemotherapy and/ or radiation therapy after surgery, Bax and Bcl-XL expression was not relat ed to patients' survival. Multiple apoptotic pathways may be associated wit h advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.