Expression and prognostic significance of p53, Bcl-2 and Bax in uterine sarcoma

Using antibodies specific for the p53, bcl-2 and bar proteins in combination with immunohistochemical methods, we examined the expression of these genes in 19 cases of uterine sarcoma, managed at Asan Medical Center, including 13 leiomyosarcomas, 4 endometrial stromal sarcomas and 2 malignant mixed mullerian tumors. The results were evaluated by semiquantitative analysis as non(0%), low (1-25%), moderate (26-75) and high expressers (>75%), and the latter two were defined as tumors with overexpression. Immunostaining of p53, bcl-2 and bar revealed 42.1%, 21.1% and 73.7% rate of overexpression respectively. We could not find any significant correlation among the degree of expression of these three proteins, and between each protein and the clinical prognostic factors. In conclusion, although apoptosis-related factors such as p53, bcl-2 and bar are strongly suggested to play a certain role in tumorigenesis of uterine sarcoma, the correlation among them and the prognostic implications need further investigation.