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.