Bcl-2 AND BAX PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN HEPATOCELLUAR CARCINOMAS

Objective: To investigate the expression of Bcl-2, the apoptosis inhibitor, and Bax, the apoptosis promoter in hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Methods: 35 formalin-fixed and paraffin-embedded samples of histologically confirmed HCC, were examined using immunohis to chemical staining for Bcl-2 and Bax protein. Results : 7 of 35 HCCs were positive for Bcl-2 protein and 13 of 35 positive for Bax protein. Immunoreactivity for Bcl-2 protein was present in 24 of 35 HCC cases and Bax protein in 25 of 35 cases. Furthermore, all positive cells were cytoplasmic stained. 6 of 7 Bcl-2 protein positive HCCs were (histological grade Ⅱ ), Bax protein expression had little association with histological grading. Co-expression of Bcl-2 and Bax protein was only present in 4 cases. At any rate, a significant high Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression was detected in small HCCs. Also, Bcl-2 protein expression tended to decrease with clinical stage. Conclusion: Bcl-2 and Bax immunohistochemical expression in HCCs seems to be associated with histological grading. Also, Bcl-2 protein seems to be relative to tumors with good prognosis. It supports the hypothesis that Bcl-2 expression has prognostic value.