Expression of Ki-67 antigen and caspase-3 protein in benign lesions and esophageal carcinoma

Abstract

Background: The present study aimed to evaluate apoptosis and cell proliferation alterations in esophageal benign lesions in comparison to esophageal carcinomas. Materials and Methods: Immunohistochemistry was performed for caspase-3 protein (CPP32) and Ki-67 antigen expression in the esophageal mucosa from patients with Chagas disease (CD) with and without megaesophagus (CM), chronic esophagitis (CE), esophageal carcinoma (ESCC) and in normal mucosa (NM). Results: The Ki-67 labeling index (LI) was similar in all groups (range: 30%-48%), having no statistically significant difference among the groups. Positive CPP32 immunostaining was observed with similar frequency in the CD (30.8%), CM (30.4%) and CE (34.8%) groups, but it was increased in the ESCC group (555%); however, it was not statistically different from the other groups. No associations among the levels of CPP32 and Ki-67 expression were observed in the various groups, neither among parameters such as age, gender or alcohol and tobacco consumption. Conclusion: There were no evident changes in cell proliferation and apoptosis in benign lesions studied.