Expression and Significance of Apoptosis Related Gene caspase-9, bax and bcl-2 in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma and Carcinoma

Objective To investigate the expression of apoptosis-related gene caspase-9, bax and bcl-2 and their clinical significances in colorectal carcinoma. Methods Expressions of caspase-9,bax and bcl-2 were detected in 56 cases of colorectal carcinomas ,48 cases of colorectal adenomas and 20 cases of normal tissues by the immuohistochemical method. Apoptotic cells are detected by TUNEL method. Results Positivity of caspase-9 was detectable in 5. 00% of normal colorectal mucosas,in 33.33% of adenomas and in 64. 29% of cancer specimens Positivity of bax was detectable in 5.00% ,35.42% and 62.50% . The bcl-2 expression was detectable in 15.00% ,87. 50% and 60. 71 %. There was significiant difference in the normal colorectal mucosas, colorectal adenomnas and colorectal carcinomas ( P 0. 01) . The difference of apoptosis index ( AI) was significant in normal colorectal mucosas,colorectal adenomas and colorectal carcinomas(P0.01). The expressions of caspase-9,bax and bcl-2 were reversely correlated to Al (P 0. 01 ). Conclusion The abnormity of apoptosis are the possible mechanism of the colorectal carcinogenesis bax and bcl-2 may participate apoptosis by regulating caspase-9