Expression of regulating apoptosis gene and apoptosis index in primary liver cancer

Programed cell death plays an important role in the genesis of cancer[1-5]. Certain cancer genes can regulate apoptosis. Recently, several proteins that are structurally related to Bcl-2, an inhibitor of apoptosis, have been identified[6-11]. Therefore, novel strategies and agents that target specific molecular pathways, as well as triggering a process of cell death, are being evaluated in the treatment of several neoplasms. The homologous Bcl-2 and Bcl-x1 proteins can extend cell survival by suppressing apoptosis[12,13], whereas the proapoptotic proteins (e.g. Bax, Bak, Bik) act as dominant cell death inducers when overexpressed[14,15]. C-myc not only can promote cell growth, but also induce apoptosis. Many studies have shown that oncogene plays an important role in the growth, progression and metastasis of solid tumors. Recently, several oncogene factors have been identified. Primary liver cancer remains one of the most common malignancies worldwide, with an annual incidence of approximately 1 million cases[16,17]. It bears the character of portal venous invasion, so metastases are often presented when the cancer is discovered. We use immunohisto-chemical method to detect the protein expression o f Bcl-2, Bax, c-myc and use TdT-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) method to detect the apoptosis index. The purpose of our study was to evaluate the function of these proteins and their relationship with the clinical characteristics of hepatoma.