Clinical contribution of bcl-2, p53 and Ki-67 proteins in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

The expression of apoptosis suppressing protein bcl-2, tumour-suppressor protein p53, and proliferation marker Ki-67 and their possible prognostic value were analysed in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma. Fifty-two % (34/64) of the samples were positive for bcl-2 and immunostaining were mainly localized in the cytoplasm of tumour cells. Bcl-2 expression was not related to tumour grade, DNA ploidy or S-phase fraction or to any clinical parameters. In univariate analysis bcl-2 expression predicted favourable outcome (p = 0.008). Positive nuclear staining for p53 was found in 40% (24/59) of samples and 80% (60/74) of the tumours were positive for Ki-67. p53 and Ki-67 expressions were not related to patient survival. According to our results, bcl-2 expression seems to be a predictor of disease outcome and may have some clinical value in human pancreatic cancer.