Am J Cancer Res 2013;3(3):312-322
Original Article
Does the expression of BCL2 have prognostic significance in malig-nant
peritoneal mesothelioma?
Krishna Pillai, Mohammad H Pourgholami, Terence C Chua, David L Morris
Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
Received May 21, 2013; Accepted June 5, 2013; Epub June 20, 2013; Published June 30, 2013
Abstract: Background Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm of the peritoneal membrane that is
causally related to asbestos exposure. Survival after treatment is poor. Current therapy involving hyperthermic intraperitoneal
chemotherapy has improved sur-vival in selective patients. In the past, several prognostic factors have been identified in MPM
patients and this has prompted the develop-ment of new therapies and patient management. Since BCL2, an antiapoptotic
oncoprotein, is a favourable prognostic factor in breast cancer, we investigated to determine the significance of BCL2 in MPM.
Materials and Methods Forty two archival patient tumour sections embedded in paraffin blocks were sectioned and subjected to
immunohistochemistry to detect BCL2. The staining intensity and abundance was classified using standard procedures and
classified into two groups (0-4 = low & 5-8 = high expression). The distribution of BCL2 groups was examined in the different
clinicopathological categories to determine prognosis using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: Univariate analysis
revealed that in almost all clinicopathological categories, high BCL2 expression predisposed patients to a favourable prognosis.
Independent of BCL2 expression, univariate analysis also showed that male gender, sarcomatoid histology, high PCI and age at
diagnosis ≥ 60 years were associated poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that for all tumours, males and females,
high BCL2 expression was associated with good prognosis. Further, independent of BCL2, age ≥ 60 years is an unfavourable
prognostic factor. Conclusion: Expression of BCL2 may serve to distinguish prognosis within the individual clinicopathological
categories. BCL2 is also an independent variable in all tumours, males and females, with high expression being associated
with good prognosis. (ajcr0000204).
Keywords: BCL2, prognosis, peritoneal mesothelioma, survival
Address correspondence to: Dr. David L Morris, Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales,
Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia. Phone: +612 – 9112070; Fax: +612 – 91133997; E-mail: david.morris@unsw.edu.au.
Original Article
Does the expression of BCL2 have prognostic significance in malig-nant
peritoneal mesothelioma?
Krishna Pillai, Mohammad H Pourgholami, Terence C Chua, David L Morris
Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales, Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia
Received May 21, 2013; Accepted June 5, 2013; Epub June 20, 2013; Published June 30, 2013
Abstract: Background Malignant peritoneal mesothelioma (MPM) is a rare neoplasm of the peritoneal membrane that is
causally related to asbestos exposure. Survival after treatment is poor. Current therapy involving hyperthermic intraperitoneal
chemotherapy has improved sur-vival in selective patients. In the past, several prognostic factors have been identified in MPM
patients and this has prompted the develop-ment of new therapies and patient management. Since BCL2, an antiapoptotic
oncoprotein, is a favourable prognostic factor in breast cancer, we investigated to determine the significance of BCL2 in MPM.
Materials and Methods Forty two archival patient tumour sections embedded in paraffin blocks were sectioned and subjected to
immunohistochemistry to detect BCL2. The staining intensity and abundance was classified using standard procedures and
classified into two groups (0-4 = low & 5-8 = high expression). The distribution of BCL2 groups was examined in the different
clinicopathological categories to determine prognosis using Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. Results: Univariate analysis
revealed that in almost all clinicopathological categories, high BCL2 expression predisposed patients to a favourable prognosis.
Independent of BCL2 expression, univariate analysis also showed that male gender, sarcomatoid histology, high PCI and age at
diagnosis ≥ 60 years were associated poor prognosis. Multivariate analysis indicated that for all tumours, males and females,
high BCL2 expression was associated with good prognosis. Further, independent of BCL2, age ≥ 60 years is an unfavourable
prognostic factor. Conclusion: Expression of BCL2 may serve to distinguish prognosis within the individual clinicopathological
categories. BCL2 is also an independent variable in all tumours, males and females, with high expression being associated
with good prognosis. (ajcr0000204).
Keywords: BCL2, prognosis, peritoneal mesothelioma, survival
Address correspondence to: Dr. David L Morris, Department of Surgery, St. George Hospital, University of New South Wales,
Kogarah, NSW 2217, Australia. Phone: +612 – 9112070; Fax: +612 – 91133997; E-mail: david.morris@unsw.edu.au.
| AJCR Copyright © 2010-present, All rights reserved. Published by e-Century Publishing Corporation, Madison, WI 53711, USA |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  | |  |
American Journal of Cancer Research
| ISSN: 2156-6976 |