The relationship between protein-expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax and clinicopathological features in non-small-cell lung cancer

Objective: To investigate the relationship between protein expression of Bcl-2 and Bax and clinicopathological features of NSCLC (Non-small-cell lung cancer). Methods: The protein expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in 30 normal pulmonary tissues and 61 NSCLCs were examined using immunohistochemistry. Results: The positive rate of Bcl-2 protein in NSCLC was significantly higher than that of in normal lung tissue (P < 0.01), while that of Bax protein in NSCLC was obviously lower than that of in normal lung tissue (P < 0.01). The positive rate of each in both lung squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma was not found statistically difference (P > 0.05). The Bcl-2 protein positive rate was positively correlated pathological grade (PG), lymph metastatic potential (LMP) (P < 0.05), no relationship to P-TNM stages (P > 0.05). The Bax protein positive rate was negatively associated with PG, LMP and P-TNM stages(P < 0.01 ~ 0.005). In NSCLC the protein positive rates of Bcl-2 and Bax were negatively involved (χ² = 9.93, P < 0. 005). Conclusion: The results suggest that the two genes inhibit mutually and both have relationship with the genesis and development of NSCLC, and may be used as indicators reflecting biological behavior of NSCLC.