A Study of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 Expression in Endometrial Lesions at a Tertiary Care Centre

INTRODUCTION: BCL-2 is B cell Lymphoma/Leukemia-2 protein encoded by BCL-2 gene which is located on Chromosome 18. BCL-2 is expressed in glandular and stromal cells of endometrium during the late proliferative phase and decreases in the late secretory phase and menstrual phase. Ki-67 is a protein found inside the cells and is most commonly seen during the cellular proliferation. During mitosis Ki-67 is detected in all the chromosomes, in all the cell cycle phases except in the G0 phase or the resting phase. AIM:  To evaluate the expression of Ki-67 and Bcl-2, to assess the mitotic score and anti-apoptotic activity of the cyclical endometrium and endometrial lesions. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This cross sectional  study was done on all female patients of age 20-65 years undergoing endometrial curettage or biopsies for endometrial pathology was taken for assessment of Bcl-2 and Ki-67 immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Statistical analysis was done using student t test between Bcl-2 and Ki-67 assessment and significant association (p value <0.05) was found between Bcl-2 and Ki-67 expression in proliferative endometrium, atrophic endometrium and endometrial carcinoma. CONCLUSION: Our study concludes that BCL2 and KI 67 shows significant association in endometrial cases. Bcl-2, an antiapoptotic marker expression was increased in  hyperplasia cases and in atrophic endometrium which indicates less apoptosis. Ki-67 a marker for cell proliferation, expression was increased in proliferative phase and carcinoma cases indicating the presence of mitosis.