Analysis of the p53/BAX Pathway in Colorectal Cancer: Low BAX Is a Negative Prognostic Factor in Patients With Resected Liver Metastases

Abstract

We conclude that low BAX expression is an independent negative prognostic marker in patients with hepatic metastases of colorectal cancer. The best survival was seen in patients with an intact p53-to-BAX pathway; ie, wild-type p53- and BAX-positive tumors. Thus, analysis of apoptosis signaling pathways (here, p53 in concert with its downstream death effector, BAX) might yield more prognostic power in future studies as compared with analysis of single genes such as p53 alone.