Abstract

BACKGROUND
Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) represents a diverse spectrum of clinical presentation, morphology, and genetic and molecular alterations, and shows variable prognoses and responses to therapy. The International Prognosis Index (IPI) is widely used to predict prognosis but is not precise.
METHODS
Thirty-nine cases of DLBCL were classified into low- and high-risk groups according to IPI and were analyzed for their p53, BCL-2, BCL-6 and PCNA expression profile by immunohistochemical staining and overall survival rate.
RESULTS
The mean age of the 39 patients, 23 males and 16 females, was 52.6 years. There were 23 cases (59.0%) in the low-risk group and 16 (41.0%) in the high-risk group. p53, BCL-2, BCL-6 and PCNA expression was higher in the high-risk group than in the low-risk group, but only the differences in p53 and BCL-2 expression were statistically significant (p < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
The p53 and BCL-2 protein expression in DLBCL may supplement IPI in predicting the prognosis of DLBCL patients.

• Keywords: Lymphoma, Large Cell, Diffuse;p53;bcl-2;Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen;