Expression of Bcl-2 in olfactory neuroblastoma and its association with chemotherapy and survival

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the prognostic value of tumor markers in olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Seventeen patients with ONB (23 tumor specimens) were included. Each specimen was studied for bcl-2, p53, MIC-2 by immunohistochemistry and for N-myc by chromogenic in situ hybridization. RESULTS: Twelve (70%) of 17 patients and 15 (65%) of 23 specimens showed positive reactivity for bcl-2. Of seven patients who were treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy, one patient with diffuse bcl-2 expression achieved complete remission. Another patient without bcl-2 expression had no response to chemotherapy. Five patients who showed partial positivity achieved partial remission. Survival and bcl-2 expression tended to correlate, but it was not statistically significant (P = 0.06). All of the ONB specimens were negative for N-myc. Positive immunoreactivity for MIC-2 or p53 was found only in one specimen. CONCLUSION: Bcl-2 expression was commonly found in ONB and the immunoreactivity for bcl-2 might predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy. In addition. Bcl-2 expression tended to be associated with worse survival. (C) 2008 American Academy of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery Foundation. All rights reserved.