Protooncogene BCL-2 and Gleason Score in Prostate Cancer

Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the expression of the bcl-2 proto-oncogene and the histological grading of prostate cancer according to the Gleason score. To study the prognostic significance of Bcl-2 overexpression in prostate cancer, 36 consecutive radical prostatectomy specimens were examined by immunohistochemistry. Bcl-2 was associated with malignant phenotype. Bcl-2 overexpression (found in 14 – 38.89% of tumors) was associated with a high Gleason score. These data suggest that altered expression of Bcl-2 plays a role in prostate cancer progression.