engleski

Apoptotic markers Bax, Bcl-2 and p53 in real oncocytoma and chromophobe carcinoma

Chromophobe carcinoma accounts for approximately 5% of all renal tumors, has a less aggressive course, but still maintains its metastatic potential. On the other side of the spectrum is oncocytoma, a benign tumor which accounts for 3%-9% of all renal tumors. In some cases, the distinction between chromophobe carcinoma and oncocytoma, based only on histologic appearance, is almost impossible. Considering the different biological behavior, differentiation of these is extremely important. Bcl-2 is a protein that has an inhibitory role in apoptotic pathway, while bax acts as its antagonist and promotes cell death. p53 is an apoptotic promoter, whose mutated form with loss of function has been found in a number of tumors. The aim of this study was to determine the immunohistochemical expression of bcl-2, bax and p53 in these two tumor groups and to compare it with apoptotic count assessed on hemalaun-eosin stained sections. Thirty-three samples of oncocytoma and 28 samples of chromophobe carcinoma, taken from the archive of Ljudevit Jurak University Department of Pathology, were examined. We found a statistically significant difference in the number of apoptotic cells, with oncocytomas having higher apoptotic count. All samples of chromophobe carcinoma and oncocytoma showed positive immunohistochemical reaction for bcl-2, with no differences between the two groups. Low expression of p53 was found in both groups, also statistically insignificant. Expression of bax was higher in oncocytomas, which may be related to the higher apoptotic count.

Apoptotic markers

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