The Prognostic Value of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax Expression in Laryngeal Cancer
Pleumjit Boonyaphiphat MSc*, Kowit Pruegsanusak MD**, Paramee Thongsuksai MD*
Affiliation : * Department of Pathology, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand ** Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, Prince of Songkla University, Hat Yai, Songkhla, Thailand
Objective : Determine the prognostic value of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax expression in cancer of the larynx.
Material and Method: Ninety-four patients diagnosed with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were analyzed for 5-year
overall survival in relation to immunohistochemical expression of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax proteins.
Results : The present study included 86 males and eight females with a mean age of 65.1 years. Half of the patients (51%)
were in stages III and IV. Radiation (44.7%) and radiation plus surgery (40.4%) were the main treatments. The frequency
of p53, Bcl-2, and Bax expression was 58.1%, 18.5%, and 87.2%, respectively. The 5-year overall survival rate was 49.7%.
Univariate analysis revealed that T-stage, N-stage and treatment were significantly associated with 5-year overall survival.
In the multivariate Cox regression, T-stage, treatment, and Bcl-2 expression were significantly associated with survival.
Positive Bcl-2 expression was associated with better survival (Hazard ratio 0.23, 95% CI 0.06-0.81).
Conclusion : The positive Bcl-2 expression is an independent prognostic marker in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma.
Keywords : Larynx cancer, p53, Bcl-2, Bax, Prognostic marker
