We have previously shown that metastatic @entity189 of unknown primary site overexpress several @entity5 markers as well as the products of the oncogenes @entity517 , ras and @entity1722 . We analyzed the tissue expression of the protein products of the apoptosis modulation genes @entity876 and @entity588 in 47 CUP cases. Formalin-fixed, paraffin embedded @entity5 specimens were stained with commercially available antibodies to @entity876 (DO7) and @entity588 after antigen retrieval by the microwave method. Staining was evaluated by intensity (1+ to 3+), percentage of positive cells (1-100%), and the 'intensity times percentage' product defined as the immunoreactivity index with values ranging from 0 to 300. Immunoreactivity index values higher than 150 were considered to characterize protein over-expression. Expression of @entity876 was identified in 70.2% of @entity5 while 53% of them showed a high immunoreactivity index. @entity588 expression was detected in 65% of @entity5 and overexpressed in 40%. Overexpression of both proteins was detected in 20% of @entity5 . The detection of either protein was not associated with any of the major clinicopathological variables studied. Nevertheless, a trend towards a more favourable response to platin based chemotherapy was seen in the cases that showed a strong expression of both proteins, when analysed by immunoreactivity index and percentage of positive cells. We conclude that CUP overexpress at a high percentage the @entity876 and the @entity588 proteins. The observed weak association of strong expression of these proteins with response to platin-based chemotherapy deserves further evaluation in the CUP setting.

@entity588 and @entity876 protein expression in XXXX of unknown primary origin: biological and clinical implications. A Hellenic Co-operative Oncology Group study.

@entity588 :: ('596', 'Gene') :: ['bcl-2', 'bcl2', 'Bcl-2'] @entity5 :: ('MESH:D009369', 'Disease') :: ['tumor', 'tumors'] @entity517 :: ('4609', 'Gene') :: ['c-myc'] @entity189 :: ('MESH:D002277', 'Disease') :: ['carcinomas'] @entity876 :: ('7157', 'Gene') :: ['p53'] @entity1722 :: ('2064', 'Gene') :: ['c-erbB2']
@entity189 :: (MESH:D002277,Disease) :: ['metastatic carcinoma']
