Expression of p53、bcl-2 and bax genes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells and its significance

Objective To explore the relationship between the expression of p53、bcl-2 and bax genes and the malignancy of non-Hodgkin's lymphomas. Method The expression of p53、bcl-2 and bax genes in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma cells from 62 cases was measured by employing immunohistochemical staining. Results The expression rate, expression intensity and positive cell density of p53 and Bcl-2 oncoproteins in non-Hodgkin's lymphomas increased gradually with the increment of tumor malignancy. It was significantly higher in low malignancy group compared with intermediate and high malignancy group (P0.01). Obvious difference between intermediate and high malignancy group was not observed (P0.05). In contrast, the expression level of Bax oncoprotein in low malignancy group was markedly higher than that in intermediate and high malignancy group (P0.01).Conclusion Aberrant apoptosis regulation might play an important role in the occurrence and exacerbation of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. There is significant correlation between the expression of these genes and the malignant degree of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma.