Bcl-2 and p53 expression in insular and in well-differentiated thyroid carcinomas with an insular pattern

• Published in: Endocrine pathology 2001, Vol.12 (3), p.301-306
• Main Authors: Peştereli, H E, Oğüş, M, Oren, N, Karpuzoğlu, G, Kerpuzoğlu, T
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular - genetics; Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular - metabolism; Carcinoma, Papillary, Follicular - secondary; Diploidy; DNA, Neoplasm - analysis; Female; Flow Cytometry; Humans; Immunoenzyme Techniques; Male; Middle Aged; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - biosynthesis; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 - genetics; Thyroid gland; Thyroid Neoplasms - genetics; Thyroid Neoplasms - metabolism; Thyroid Neoplasms - pathology; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - biosynthesis; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 - genetics
• ISSN: 1046-3976; 1046-3976; 1559-0097
• DOI: 10.1385/EP:12:3:301

Expression of p53 and bcl-2 oncogenes was investigated in poorly differentiated, so-called insular carcinomas of the thyroid gland and also in the follicular and papillary carcinomas with an insular component. Hematoxylin-eosin sections of 217 thyroid carcinomas were reevaluated for insular carcinoma and also for thyroid carcinomas with an insular component. Immunohistochemical staining method was used for detecting p53 and bcl-2 expression on paraffin blocks of three pure insular, five follicular or papillary thyroid carcinomas with a major insular component (more than 50%) and six with a minor insular component (20-50%). Flow cytometry was also performed in these cases. None of the cases showed p53 immunoreactivity. Bcl-2 expression was observed in all cases and the most intense staining was seen in insular areas. All the cases were diploid. We suggest that bcl-2 plays a role in loss of differentiation of thyroid carcinomas.