To investigate the mechanisms of anti-tumor effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy on esophageal carcinoma, apoptosis status was assessed by the TUNEL method in 14 esophageal carcinomas resected after preoperative chemotherapy with or without radiotherapy (Preoperative treatment group) and in 14 esophageal carcinomas primarily resected (Primary resection group). P 53 and Bcl-2 protein statuses were also as-sessed in both groups using immunohistochemical staining techniques. Apoptotic index expressed as a number of apoptotic cells per 1, 000 tumor cells was 15.5±3.3 and 8.6±1.8 in the preoperative treatment group and the primary resection group, respectively. There was no significant difference in apoptosis status between these two groups. However, the apoptotic index was significantly greater (p=0.04) in the tumors resected from responders of than that in the tumors resected from non-responders of the preoperative treatment. There was a significant correlation between p 53 and Bcl-2 labeling index (r=0.78, p=0.0017). In concision, the induction of apoptosis in obviously of paramount importance in enhancing the respose rate of the preopera-tive treatment.
Nihon Rinsho Geka Gakkai Zasshi (Journal of Japan Surgical Association)