Apoptosis phenomenon in the selected neoplasms of the glial origin.

Gliomas cause a therapeutic problem because of their localization and asymptomatic growth in the initial phase. Neoplastic growth is connected with disturbance between proliferation and apoptosis. In the study, we assessed the Bcl-2 family proteins involved in apoptosis in gliomas. The study comprised 61 patients with gliomas and based on tissue material sent for the diagnosis. Apoptosis was assessed in various types of gliomas and was defined by the apoptotic index (IA) and shown immunohistochemically with using Bcl-2, Bax and Bcl-x antibodies. The data were statistically analyzed. We found an increased percentage of the Bax (+) cells in less matured gliomas. A reverse dependence was revealed for Bcl-x. It was found that, probably in gliomas, the assessment of the Bcl-2 family proteins may serve only as an additional parameter for the evaluation of the disease course and the therapeutic success.