Expression of Bcl-2 in olfactory neuroblastoma and its association with chemotherapy and survival.

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the prognostic value of tumor markers in olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). Seventeen patients with ONB (23 tumor specimens) were included. Each specimen was studied for bcl-2, p53, MIC-2 by immunohistochemistry and for N-myc by chromogenic in situ hybridization. Twelve (70%) of 17 patients and 15 (65%) of 23 specimens showed positive reactivity for bcl-2. Of seven patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, one patient with diffuse bcl-2 expression achieved complete remission. Another patient without bcl-2 expression had no response to chemotherapy. Five patients who showed partial positivity achieved partial remission. Survival and bcl-2 expression tended to correlate, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). All of the ONB specimens were negative for N-myc. Positive immunoreactivity for MIC-2 or p53 was found only in one specimen. Bcl-2 expression was commonly found in ONB and the immunoreactivity for bcl-2 might predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, Bcl-2 expression tended to be associated with worse survival.