Immunohistochemical Expression of p53 and Bcl-2 in Algerian Cervical Carcinoma

Abstract

The Objective of the present study is to evaluate the expression levels of Bcl-2 and p53 proteins in squamous cell carcinoma and adenocarcinoma of the uterine cervix, and try to explain their role as prognostic markers for this cancer. The cohort comprised 90 cases of the cervix lesions. The samples were assessed by immunohistochemistry for the expression of Bcl-2 and p53 proteins. The results showed that the Bcl-2 expression was either absent, low or moderate respectively in 38.96%; 50.65% and 10.39% of SCC cases. However, it was absent or expressed in 76.92% and 23.08% of adenocarcinoma cases respectively. The p53 protein was absent or present respectively in 75.32% and 24.68% of SCC cases as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry. p53 was almost absent in adenocarcinoma samples where only 7.70% of cases were positive. There was no significant correlation between Bcl-2 and p53 expression (p=0.352). We conclude that p53 expression, detected by immunohistochemistry, does not appear to be a prognostic marker for cervical cancer. Nevertheless, Bcl-2 expression seems to provide more information for this disease. It may represent an important indicator for cervical cancer.