BCL-2, TP53 and BAX protein expression in superficial urothelial bladder carcinoma

Whether TP53, BCL-2 and BAX expressions add independent prognostic information in patients with Ta/T1bladder urothelial carcinoma remains unclear. TP53 overexpression correlated with high tumor grade (p = 0.004), WHO grading categories (0.045), BAX expression (p = 0.043) and pathologic stage (p = 0.05). BCL-2 immunostaining was inverse associated with tumor grade (p = 0.008). Lack of BAX expression was related to reduced patient’s survival (p = 0.028). Mortality was higher in patients with BCL-2+/TP53+ (p = 0.023) or TP53+/BAX− (p = 0.027) phenotype. BAX and pathologic stage were independent predictors of progression-free and overall survival, respectively. Therefore, BAX expression might be relevant in patient’s prognosis.