Expressions of Fas ligand and other apoptosis-related genes and their prognostic significance in epithelial ovarian neoplasms

摘要

Expression of apoptosis-related proteins, bcl-2, Bax, Fas and Fas ligand (L), in ovarian epithelial neoplasms together with its clinical relevance was examined by immunohistochemistry. They included 36 cases with adenoma, 33 with low potential malignancy (LPM) and 63 with carcinomas. bcl-2 expression was observed in 14 of 36 cases (39%) with adenoma, five of 33 (15%) with LPM (PPPPP= 0.02). Density of CD8+ lymphocytes, possibly cytotoxic T-cells, was higher in serous carcinoma with negative Fas L expression than those with positive Fas L expression. These findings suggest that Fas L expressing carcinomas induce apoptosis in infiltrating CTL with Fas expression, and escape from immune surveillance. ? 2000 Cancer Research Campaign