Expression of c-myc, bcl-2 and survivin in cutaneous and oral squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma and actinic keratosis

Abstract

Genes involved in apoptosis are important and over expression of these genes are thought to contribute to carcinogenesis. Aim: to evaluate the expression of anti-apoptotic factors in a series of epithelial malignancies and actinic keratosis using immunohistochemistry. Design: Laboratory microscopy of stained biopsy specimen. Materials and methods: Sections of specimens diagnosed as cutaneous-SCCs (CSCC), oral-SCCs (OSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and actinic keratosis (AK) were stained by using c-myc, bcl-2 and survivin antibodies. Results: In AK, c-myc expression was found in the nuclei of epithelium mostly in basal cell layers. In BCC, CSCC and OSCC, c-myc expression was found in both the nuclear and cytoplasmic regions of the tumor cells. Among all the cancer tissues, OSCC showed the strongest positive staining for c-myc. The expression of bcl-2 and survivin in AK were also found mostly as nuclear staining in the basal cell layer areas, while in the other cancer tissues, positive staining were found in both the nucleus and cytoplasm of the tumor cell. Conclusion: c-myc expressions correspond to the survivin expressions. c-myc expression was stronger in OSCC than in CSCC and BCC, and weaker in AK than in other malignant tumors.

Key Words: c-myc, bcl-2, suvivin, cancer, immunohistochemistry.