Significance of Bax expression in breast cancer patients

Pol Przegl Chir. 2011 Oct;83(10):549-53. doi: 10.2478/v10035-011-0087-4.

Abstract

Bax protein, the proapoptotic member of Bcl-2 protein family, plays the key role in apoptosis pathway. THE AIM OF THE STUDY was to assess the expression of Bax protein in breast cancer cells.

Material and methods: Sixty-two breast cancer patients were included in the study. The control group encompassed 11 fibroadenoma patients. Single cells were isolated from defrosted samples and prepared for flow cytometry measurement.

Results: Median expression of Bax protein in study group was 7.9% (range: 0-49.4%) and was significantly lower than in control (median expression 15.8%; range 4.9-30.9%; p=0.034). Expression of Bax correlated with expression of p53 and caspase-3 proteins (p<0.01, rank Spearman test). In patients under 70 years old and with positive estrogen receptors status the expression of Bax protein was significantly higher (p=0.03 and p=0.01 respectively).

Conclusions: Lower expression of Bax protein in breast cancer cells may suggest the potential way of apoptosis avoidance of tumor cells. Correlations among Bax protein, p53 and caspase-3 are likely associated with active apoptotic mechanism in breast cancer cells expressing Bax protein. Further investigation with long time follow-up should be performed to establish the prognostic role of Bax protein expression in breast cancer patients.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Apoptosis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / biosynthesis*
  • Breast Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Breast Neoplasms / pathology
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Caspase 3 / biosynthesis*
  • Female
  • Flow Cytometry
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Staging
  • Prognosis
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein / biosynthesis*

Substances

  • BAX protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • bcl-2-Associated X Protein
  • Caspase 3