Expression Pattern of Bcl-2 Protein in Gastric Adenocarcinoma in Relation to Histologic Type

Abstract

Background: Both intestinal and diffuse types of gastric adenocarcinoma exhibit Bcl-2 protein expression, which has been shown to be overexpressed in the gastric carcinogenic sequence. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the Bcl-2 protein expression in gastric adenocarcinoma in relation to its histological type. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at the Department of Pathology, Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College from March 2020 to January 2022. Seventy histologically diagnosed cases of gastric adenocarcinoma were selected with approval from the Institutional Review Board. Following inclusion and exclusion criteria, corresponding paraffin blocks were collected. H&E-stained sections were reexamined microscopically to confirm diagnosis and histological type. New sections were prepared from each block for Bcl-2 immunostaining, and Bcl-2 expression was evaluated microscopically in relation to histological type. Result: Gastric adenocarcinoma was more prevalent in older adults, with Bcl-2 overexpression observed in approximately 43% of cases. Most Bcl-2-positive cases were intestinal type (28 intestinal vs. 2 diffuse) and low-grade carcinomas (22 well/moderately differentiated vs. 8 poorly differentiated). No significant association was found between Bcl-2 expression and histological type (p>0.05). Conclusion: There was no significant association of Bcl-2 expression with histological type (p>0.05).

Delta Med Col J. Jul 2022; 11 (1): 16-21