Expression of survivin and Bcl-2 in esophageal cancer and their correlation with tumor cell apoptosis

Purpose: To study the expression of Survivin and Bcl-2 and their correlation with tumor cell apoptosis in esophageal cancer. Methods: The expression of Survivin and Bcl-2 was detected by immunohistochemical assay in 64 cases of esophageal cancer. Tumor cell apoptosis was identified and quantified by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dTUP nick and labeling( TUNEL) method. Results: The Survivin was expressed in 38 of 64 (68. 7%) cases of esophageal cancer of histological grade 2 to 3. In contrast, normal esophageal epithelium did not express Survivin. Survivin-positive cases were associated with Bcl-2 expression and reduced apoptotic index . The expression of Survivin was not related with histological grade, lymph node metastasis and histological type. Conclusions: The expression of Survivin in esophageal cancer, alone or in cooperation with Bcl-2, may play an important role in tumorigenesis through inhibition of apoptosis. The selective distribution of Survivin in tumor cells may provide a new direction for targeting therapy.