Expression

of bcl-2 protein in gastric carcinoma and its significance * LIU Hai-Feng, LIU Wei-Wen, FANG Dian-Chun and MEN Rong-Pu Subject headings stomach neoplasms/pathology; bcl-2 protein; gene expression; immunohistochemical; lymphatic metastasis AIM To further study the role of bcl-2 protein expression in gastric carcinogenesis and tumor progression. METHODS Us ing immunoh is tochemica l staining, the bcl-2 protein expression in 50 cases of gastric carcinoma and its relation to clinical status and pathomorphological parameters were observed. RESULTS Forty-one (82%) cases were positive for bcl-2 protein staining which was located in the cytoplasm and nuclear membrane of tumor cells. The rate of bcl-2 protein expression was not correlated with the patient, sex, tumor size, lymph node status or clinical stages (P>0.05). It was strongly associated with intestinal-type tumors and poorly differentiated tumors (P<0. 05 and P<0.01). CONCLUSION Abe r r an t b c l- 2 p r o t e i n expression appears to be specifically associated with development of intestinal-type gastric carcinoma, bcl-2 protein expression might play an important role in the early development/ promotion and phenotypic differentiation o