The level of BLC-2 in unchanged, hyperplastic and malignant endometrium

The level of protooncogene bcl-2 in 185 endometrial specimens (15 unchanged, 62 glandular hyperplasia, 32 squamous-cell metaplasia, 42 atypical hyperplasia, 34 endometrial cancer) has been studied. Endometrial cells have been found to be characterized by expression of protein bcl-2, however, the level of expression depends on both the phase of menstrual cycle and the character of pathologic process in uterine corpus mucosa. There is a direct correlation between the level of bcl-2 expression and the proliferation of endometrial cells, minimal values of bcl-2 are determined in patients with endometrial cancer, therefore, the normal unbalance between cell proliferation and apoptosis is damaged in malignant endometrium.