Expression and Prognostic Significance of Bcl-2 and Bax in The Progression and Clinical Outcome of Transitional Bladder Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the mRNA expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax both in normal and tumoral bladder tissues of patients with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder and investigate potential correlation between this expression ratio and clinical outcome.Materials and Methods: In this experimental study, we used real time-PCR to investigate the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax both in normal and tumoral bladder tissues. The Bcl-2/Bax expression ratio was determined in tumoral bladder tissues of patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder (n=40) and correlation between expression ratios and the emergence of early relapses in a follow-up of 14-30 months was examined.Results: Relapse-free time in 14/31 patients (45.16%) with Bcl-2/Bax>1 was shorter than 9 months (range of 2-9 months) with 5.7 months average median while 17/31 patients (54.84%) with Bcl-2/Bax<1 are currently relapse-free (14-30 months). Bcl-2 and Bax expression levels were not solely correlated with clinical outcome and progression of carcinogenesis.Conclusion: The mRNA expression ratio of Bcl-2/Bax in tumoral bladder tissues may serve as a significant prognostic indicator in predicting the clinical outcome in low grade non-invasive bladder cancer.

Keywords

• Apoptosis
• Bcl-2
• Bax
• Bladder
• Clinical Outcome