What is BCL cancer?

The gene for BCL2 is found on chromosome 18, and transfer of the BCL2 gene to a different chromosome is seen in many B-cell leukemias and lymphomas. This causes the BCL2 protein to be made in larger amounts, which may keep cancer cells from dying. Also called B-cell leukemia/lymphoma 2 protein.

How does BCL2 cause cancer?

A role for Bcl2 in cancer was first identified more than 20 years ago in follicular lymphoma, where it is involved in the t(14;18) chromosome translocation, placing Bcl2 under the control of the immunoglobulin heavy-chain promoter resulting in its deregulated high level of expression [9, 10].

How long can you live with Stage 2 brain cancer?

The average survival time is 12-18 months – only 25% of glioblastoma patients survive more than one year, and only 5% of patients survive more than five years.

How long can you live with a high grade brain tumor?

The 5-year survival rate for people with a cancerous brain or CNS tumor is 36%. The 10-year survival rate is about 31%. Survival rates decrease with age. The 5-year survival rate for people younger than age 15 is more than 75%.

Which Bcl-2 proteins are associated with various cancers?

Overexpression of antiapoptotic Bcl-2 proteins is associated with various cancers in which the normal apoptotic pathway is inhibited, leading to abnormal and dysregulated cell proliferation [5].

Is BCL2 a tumor suppressor?

Bcl-2 is widely believed to be an apoptosis suppressor gene. Overexpression of the protein in cancer cells may block or delay onset of apoptosis, by selecting and maintaining long-living cells and arresting cells in the G0 phase of the cell cycle.

Is BCL2 anti-apoptotic?

BCL2 (and its antiapoptotic orthologues) seems to inhibit apoptosis by the preservation of mitochondrial membrane integrity as its hydrophobic carboxyl-terminal domain is linked to the outer membrane. It is also known that BCL2 binds to and inactivates BAX and other pro-apoptotic proteins, thereby inhibiting apoptosis.

Can Grade 2 brain tumor be cured?

They can often be cured with surgery. Grade II. These tumors are less likely to grow and spread but are more likely to come back after treatment.

What kind of tumors are positive for Bcl-2?

BCL-2 is commonly expressed by certain types of mesenchymal tumors. Synovial sarcoma is positive in 80% or more of cases, and BCL-2 positivity is also expressed in the large majority of gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST).

Where does Bcl-2 expression occur in lymphoma?

BCL-2 expression in follicular lymphoma. It is well known that follicular lymphoma frequently expresses BCL-2, unlike the germinal centers of secondary (activated) follicles. The frequency of expression of BCL-2 in follicular lymphoma varies with the type of follicular lymphoma.

Where are Bcl-2 markers found in the body?

One cell population that normally expresses BCL-2 is the Bcells that are present within primary (or “resting”) follicles, and it is only the germinal center area of a secondary (“activated”) follicle that normally lacks significant expression of this marker.

How does Bcl2 overexpression affect plasma cells?

BCL2 overexpression increase lifespan of B cells; may maintain memory B cells, plasma cells and neurons by prolonging life span without cell division May participate in ion channel formation and alteration of membrane permeability, necessary for initiation of apoptosis