The expression and rearrangement of bcl-2 gene in 64 cases with colorectal carcinoma were studied by immunohistochemical technique and semi-nest PCR respectively. The results showed the abnormal changes of the expression and rearrangement of bcl-2 gene had emerged in the early stage of colorectal carcinoma. The tumors with the expression of bcl-2 were associated with a higher incidence of metastasis to lymphatic node. The rearragement of bcl-2 was significantly higher in late-stage than that in early-stage. These suggest that bcl-2 gene involves in the regulation of the development of colorectal carcinoma. The state of the changes of bcl-2 gene in colorectal carcinoma may predict the therapeutic effect and prognosis of colorectal carcinoma.
