Diagnostic and prognostic value of Bcl-2 in uterine leiomyosarcoma
Antonio Travaglino1, Antonio Raffone2,3, Diego Raimondo4
1Anatomic Pathology Unit, Department of Advanced Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
Background:
Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) may show loss of expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2) protein. It has been suggested that Bcl-2 loss may both be a diagnostic marker and an unfavorable prognostic marker in uLMS.
Objective:
To define the diagnostic and prognostic value of Bcl-2 loss in uLMS through a systematic review and meta-analysis.
Methods:
Electronic databases were searched from their inception to May 2020 for all studies assessing the diagnostic and prognostic value of Bcl-2 loss of immunohistochemical expression in uLMS. Data were extracted to calculate odds ratio (OR) for the association of Bcl-2 with uLMS vs leiomyoma variants and smooth-muscle tumors of uncertain malignant potential (STUMP), and hazard ratio (HR) for overall survival; a p value < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
Eight studies with 388 patients were included. Loss of Bcl-2 expression in uLMS was not significantly associated with a diagnosis of uLMS vs leiomyoma variants and STUMP (OR = 2.981; p = 0.48). Bcl-2 loss was significantly associated with shorter overall survival in uLMS (HR = 3.722; p = 0.006). High statistical heterogeneity was observed in both analyses.
Conclusion:
Loss of Bcl-2 expression appears as a significant prognostic but not diagnostic marker in uLMS. The high heterogeneity observed highlights the need for further research and larger studies.
