OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA and its effect on prognosis of patients with primary gastrointestinal diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (PGI-DLBCL).

METHODSReal time quantitative PCR was used to determine the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in 40 PGI-DLBCL patients and 17 healthy controls. The association of Bcl-2 expression with clinicopathological features and prognosis of the patients was analyzed.

RESULTSThe expression level of Bcl-2 mRNA in PGI-DLBCL patients was 1.03 ± 0.93, significantly higher than that of the controls (0.41 ± 0.21) (P < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in stage IIE-IV patients (1.28 ± 1.01) was significantly higher than that in the stage I-II2 patients (0.62 ± 0.61) (P < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in patients with international prognostic index (IPI) score >2 (1.95 ± 1.27) was significantly higher than those with IPI score ≤ 2 (0.86 ± 0.75)(P < 0.05). The expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in patients with complete remission (CR) (0.71 ± 0.58) was significantly lower vs. 2.42 ± 0.91 in patients with no CR (P < 0.05). Univariate analysis indicated that β2-MG, IPI score>2, the Lugano staging, and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were associated with overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) (P < 0.05). Multivariate analysis indicated that IPI score>2 was independently associated with OS (P < 0.05), and both IPI score >2 and Bcl-2 mRNA expression were independently associated with PFS (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of Bcl-2 mRNA in the tumor tissue of PGI-DLBCL patients is significantly higher than that in controls. PGI-DLBCL patients with higher expression of Bcl-2 have a poor chemotherapy response and inferior prognosis. IPI score >2 and higher expression of Bcl-2 mRNA are independent poor prognostic factors for PFS in PGI-DLBCL patients.