Expressions and significances of apoptosis related protein Bcl-2 and Bax in basal-like breast carcinoma

Abstract

Objective To investigate the expressions and significances of Bcl-2 and Bax in basal-like breast carcinoma (BLBC). Methods The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected in 43 cases of BLBC, 57 cases of non-BLBC and 60 cases of normal breast tissues by immunohistochemistry, and their relationships with physiological and pathological characteristics of patients were analysized. Results The positive rate of Bcl-2 in BLBC was 69.77%, higher than 43.86% in non-BLBC (χ2=6.647, P=0.010) and 21.67% in normal breast tissues (χ2=23.831, P=0.001). The positive rate of Bax in BLBC was 20.93%, lower than 45.61% in non-BLBC (χ2=6.564, P=0.010) and 76.67% in normal breast tissues (χ2=31.270, P=0.001). The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were correlated with lymphnode metastasis (χ2=6.927, P=0.008; χ2=6.203, P=0.013) and pTNM staging of BLBC (χ2=6.331, P=0.012; χ2=5.972, P=0.015). There was negative correlation between the expression of Bcl-2 and Bax in BLBC (r=-0.408, P<0.010). Conclusion High expression of Bcl-2 and low expression of Bax interact with each other leading to unbalance of cell deferation and apoptosis, resulting in promoting genesis and progress of BLBC. Key words: Breast neoplasms; Proto-oncogene proteins c-bcl-2; Bax