bcl-2/bax EXPRESSION AND p53 GENE STATUS IN HUMAN BLADDER CANCER: RELATIONSHIP TO EARLY RECURRENCE WITH INTRAVESICAL CHEMOTHERAPY AFTER RESECTION

Abstract

A bcl-2/bax ratio greater than 1 and p53 gene mutation were closely associated with early relapse in patients with superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder during intravesical chemotherapy after resection. This finding suggests that the relative levels of bcl-2 and bax, and p53 gene status may contribute to drug sensitivity and progression, and help to predict recurrence. Moreover, bcl-2/bax correlated with p53 status, which implies that cross talk among bcl-2, bax and p53 has a role in influencing drug induced apoptosis and regulating resistance to chemotherapy.