Expression of bcl-2 and p53 in Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- 1 June 1996
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health) in The American Journal of Dermatopathology
- Vol. 18 (3), 273-277
- https://doi.org/10.1097/00000372-199606000-00006
Abstract
Bcl-2 is a protooncogene thought to play a role in oncogenesis by inhibiting programmed cell death. It may interact with p53, a tumor-suppressor gene which induces apoptosis in certain circumstances. We have studied these gene products by immunohistochemistry in 15 cases of Merkel cell carcinoma, a tumor characterised by prominent apoptosis. Five cases showed moderate/strong staining for p53, with moderate/strong bcl-2 staining in 10 patients. In seven cases abundance of p53 and bcl-2 expression was mutually exclusive. Two patients died within 1 year of diagnosis and six had nodal recurrences. Gene expression and survival appear unrelated. The role of Bcl-2 and p53 in tumorigenesis is complicated and may be inter-related with other genes known to be involved in programmed cell death.Keywords
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