Abstract:

[Abstract] Objective To investigate the expressions of p53, bcl-2and caspase-3in elderly patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and the clinical significance thereof.Methods The clinical data and paraffin tissue samples of117patients with NSCLC confirmed by postoperative pathology were collected. The expressions of p53, bcl-2and caspase-3protein in tissues of NSCLC were detected by immunohistochemical method. The correlation between the expres? sions of p53, bcl-2and caspase-3protein was analyzed, and the relationship between the expressions of p53, bcl-2and cas? pase-3protein and clinicopathological characteristics was explored.Results The positive expression rates of p53, bcl-2 and caspase-3were42.74% (50/117), 38.46% (45/117) and 36.75%(43/117) in tissue samples of NSCLC. The positive ex? pression rate of p53was significantly higher in patients with poor differentiation, central type, lymph node metastasis and squamous carcinoma. The positive expression rate of bcl-2was significantly higher in patients with high differentiation and lymph node metastasis. The positive expression rate of caspase-3was significantly higher in patients with high differentia? tion and no lymph node metastasis. There was a positive correlation between expressions of bcl-2and caspase-3in NSCLC (r=0.262, P=0.003). Conclusion The expressions of p53, bcl-2and caspase-3may play important roles in development and progression of advanced NSCLC in elderly patients, which may serve as predicators for prognosis.

Key words: p53, bcl-2, caspase-3, Elderly patient, Non-small cell lung cancer(NSCLC)