Objective: The Bc1-2 protein increases cell longevity by inhibiting
apoptosis (programed cell death). The aim of the study is to evaluate the
expression and possible role of Bc1-2 in basal cell carcinoma (BCC).
Study design: Twenty two patients with 24 lesions (BCCs) were included
in the study. After excision with safety margins, routine paraffin
section of formalinfixed BCCs were labeled with anti-Bc1-2 monoclonal
antibodies using a biotin-aviclin irnmunoperoxidase procedure. Apoptotic
cells were counted in ten high power fields (HPFs) of each section. The results
were compared with those in ten age and sex matched controls.
Results: Excision with reconstructive procedures was done with a
safety margin (5mm). Simple undermining and advancement was done in
8 patients. post-auricular fill thickness skin graft in 7 patients, local
flaps (V-Y advancement flap, rotation flap) in 9 patients. In normal skin
samples, Bc1-2 was only expressed by the basal keratinocytes in one of
ten (10%) samples. The mean apoptotic index (Al) was 0.5 cells/JO HPFs.
In BCC, BcI-2 was expressed by tumor cells in 21/24 cases (87.5%) with
apoptotic index Al ranging between 2-11 cells/JO HPFs with a mean
4.94+1.2 cells (statistically highly sign(Jlcant).
Conclusion: BcI-2 over-expression in the majority of BCCs may be the
initial factor that predisposes to malignant transformation of keratinocytes
by inhibiting apoptosis. |
