Beclin-1 expression is associated with prognosis in a Bcl-2-dependent manner in non-small cell lung cancer

Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 expression abnormalities have been confirmed in different types of cancer. As important regulators of autophagy and apoptosis, respectively, these molecules serve a complex role in tumorigenesis. However, limited information is currently available regarding the association between Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 in (NSCLC). In the present study, the expression levels of Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 were detected in lung cancer tissues, and their prognostic significance was analyzed for NSCLC. A total of 120 patients with lung cancer who underwent surgical resection were included in the present study. Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 expression was assessed using immunohistochemistry and their associations with the overall survival (OS) in patients with NSCLC was examined. The expression rate of Beclin-1 was significantly lower in NSCLC tissues compared with that in adjacent tissues, whereas the expression rate of Bcl-2 was significantly higher in lung cancer tissues compared with that in adjacent tissues. Additionally, Beclin-1 and Bcl-2 protein expression was strongly associated (P<0.05) in NSCLC. Patients with NSCLC with low Beclin-1 expression were in more advanced stages, with more lymph node metastasis and more poorly differentiated tumors. Similarly, patients with NSCLC with high Bcl-2 expression were also in a more advanced stage and had more lymph node metastasis. Cox regression analysis revealed that the association between Bcl-2 expression and survival was not significant, while a multivariate analysis revealed that Beclin-1 expression was significantly associated with OS. Notably, Beclin-1 expression was significantly associated with OS only in patients with high Bcl-2 expression. In conclusion, the present data indicated that the autophagy activity is decreased in NSCLC. Beclin-1 expression was downregulated, while Bcl-2 expression was upregulated in NSCLC tissues compared with that in adjacent tissues. Additionally, these two proteins were associated with the occurrence and progression of NSCLC. Beclin-1 may be a promising prognostic marker for patients with NSCLC with high Bcl-2 expression. The present findings provided a more accurate prognostic assessment for patients with NSCLC. Furthermore, they may be used to actively follow-up and promptly treat patients with a poor prognosis, which may benefit a greater number of patients with NSCLC.