Abstract Objective To measure bcl-2 and bax protein expression and explore the clinical significance in children with acute leukemia (AL). Methods Bcl-2 and bax protein were detected with a specific monoclonal antibody and flow cytometry. Results ①All 41 AL patients showed bcl-2 and bax expression with various levels.The incidence of bcl-2 and bax protein positive was 5.5%～52.4% and 4.8%～42.7% respectively. It was not correlated with AL subtypes (P>0.05). ②The high bcl-2 level (≥21%) was associated with high white blood cell (WBC) count. ③ The bcl-2 protein level of the incomplete remission and relapse group was obviously higher than that of the complete remission and previously untreated group (P<0.01). ④ The complete remission rate in the patients with bcl-2/bax protein ratio <1 was higher than that in those with a ratio ≥1 (P<0.01). Conclusions Bcl-2 protein displays an overexpression in AL and it is correlated with the prognosis and therapy reaction.
