The value of serum bcl-2 levels in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer.
Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England), vol.23, no.2, pp.213-7, 2006 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Publication Type: Article / Article
- Volume: 23 Issue: 2
- Publication Date: 2006
- Doi Number: 10.1385/mo:23:2:213
- Journal Name: Medical oncology (Northwood, London, England)
- Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus
- Page Numbers: pp.213-7
- Istanbul University Affiliated: Yes
Abstract
The present study was conducted to investigate the value of serum bcl-2 levels in advanced epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Twenty-two patients with advanced ovarian carcinoma pathologically verified were investigated. Serum samples were obtained on the first admission before the chemotherapeutic treatment were given. Serum bcl-2 protein was determined by using ELISA. The baseline serum bcl-2 levels were significantly higher in patients with ovarian cancer than in the control group (p < 0.001). The sensitivity and specificity of serum bcl-2 were determined as 100% and 78%, respectively. None of the prognostic parameters analyzed such as age of patient, stage of disease, serum CA-125, albumin, hemoglobin, LDH, and response to chemotherapy was significantly correlated with bcl-2 serum concentrations. No prognostic value of serum bcl-2 was determined. In conclusion, the results of the present study suggest that decreased apoptosis occurred due to the effect of serum bcl-2 elevation in advanced ovarian cancer patients. Also, serum bcl-2 level was a diagnostic but not a prognostic value in ovarian cancer. However, much researchs still continues in this field, and exciting new knowledge will ultimately emerge.