Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• VERHAEGH, M.E.J.M.
• SANDERS, C.J.G.
• ARENDS, J.W.
• NEUMANN, H.A.M.

Titel

Expression of the apoptosis-suppressing protein Bcl-2 in non-melanoma skin cancer

Ist Teil von

• British journal of dermatology (1951), 1995-05, Vol.132 (5), p.740-744

Ort / Verlag

Oxford, UK: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

1995

Quelle

Wiley Online Library Journals Frontfile Complete

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Summary Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is typically a slow‐growing malignant tumour, composed of cells similar to those in the basal area of the epidermis. We investigated the expression of bcl‐2 (B‐cell leukaemia/lymphoma‐2) in BCC, and also in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. The proto‐oncogene bcl‐2 encodes a protein which inhibits programmed cell death (apoptosis). The protein is expressed in basal cells in normal human epithelium, but not in the suprabasal cell layers. Immunohistochemical localization using a monoclonal anti‐Bcl‐2 antibody revealed bcl‐2 expression in all the BCCs (15 patients). SCCs did not express bcl‐2 (five patients). The positive Bcl‐2 staining of BCC tumour cells supports the hypothesis that BCCs originate from the basal layer of the epidermis. The bcl‐2 expression of BCC tumour cells also suggests a neoplastic transformation caused by extended cell survival rather than increased cell proliferation. This type of neoplastic growth is possibly associated with less aggressive tumour behaviour.