The Apoptosis and the Relative Genes of bcl-2 and bax in NSCLC

Objective: The aim of this study was to observe the relationship between apoptosis and related gene expression of bcl-2, bax and their clinical significance in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Methods: The flow cytometry technique and indirect immunofluorescence staining were used in this study. Results: The apoptosis rate as well as the positive rate of Bcl-2 and Bax in the NSCLC group was significantly different (P 0.05) from those in the control group. The apoptosis rate in stage I NSCLC was significantly higher than that in stage II-III NSCLC (P 0.01). The percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells in stage I NSCLC was significantly lower than that in stage II-III NSCLC (P 0.01). The percentage of Bcl-2 positive cells was inversely correlated with apoptosis rate (r = -0.667, P 0.01). There was no correlation between the percentage of Bax positive cells and apoptosis rate (r = 0.230, P 0.05). The apoptosis rate in the groups of Bcl-2/Bax 1 was significantly lower than that in the group of Bcl-2/Bax ≤ 1. Conclusion: With the development of stage in NSCLC, the apoptosis rate decreases, which implies apoptosis rate may be correlated with the progression of NSCLC. Bcl-2 protein enhances growth rate of NSCLC due to blockage of cell death. The model with the ratio of bcl-2 to bax can determine survival or death following an apoptotic stimulus.