The expression and significance of Smac, Livin and Caspase-3 gene in osteosarcoma

Abstract

Objective To explore the expression of Samc, Livin and Caspase-3 genes in osteosar-coma,and its effect on biological behaviors of osteosarcoma. Methods Using immunohistochemistry meth-od (SABC), the expression of Smac, Livin and Caspase-3 protein was detected in 46 cases of osteosarco-mas. The relationship between the expression of Smac and Livin genes with clinicopathological parameters of osteosarcomas was analyzed. Results There was expression of Smac, Livin and Caspase-3 genes in 29 cases (63.0%), 30 cases (65.2%) and 32 cases (72.4%) in osteosarcomas, respectively. The expres-sion rate of Smac and Livin had no relationship with histologic staging and WHO types of osteosarcoma, but correlated with metastasis (P<0.05). Smac had a positive correlation with Livin expression (r=0.639,P<0.01), but had no relationship with Caspase-3 expression in osteosarcomas. Conclusion Apoptosis correlated factors, Smac, Livin and Caspase-3 were all highly expressed in osteosarcoma, and maybe they arc involved in the occurrence and development of osteosarcoma by modulating apoptosis. Key words: Osteosarcoma; Caspase-3; Apoptosis