Objective: To evaluate the expression of the bcl-2 proto-oncogene in uveal malignant melanomas.
Case material: We studied 20 uveal malignant melanomas (19 choroidal and 1 ciliary body) by immunohistochemistry with the bcl-2 oncoprotein monoclonal antibody and the cell proliferation marker, MIB-1.
Results: Expression of bcl-2 was found in 100% of cases and was not correlated with the histologic subtype of melanoma or the MIB-1 proliferative index. Normal choroidal melanocytes were negative for bcl-2.
Conclusion: Our results suggest that altered expression of bcl-2 is common in uveal melanomas and is not related to histologic grade.