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Bcl-2 gene family plays as important role in regulation of apoptosis.The cell proliferation / death balance is of most important in the development of oral carcinoma.Aim of this study is to determine bcl-2 & bax gene expression in oral squamous cell carcinoma in relation to apoptosis and proliferation and to correlate them with the clinicopathological features. Formalin fixed paraffin embedded tissue blocks of OSCC were used.The anti apoptotic cell activity was determined by bcl-2 mRNA gene and proapoptotic cell death was analysed by BaxmRNA gene using ISH technique. Results showed Bcl2 & bax genes expression correlate with histological grading of OSCC.Bcl2 gene is nearly lost in well differentiated OSCC as well as reduced in moderately & poorly differentiated OSCC.Bax gene is highly expressed in well & moderately differentiated OSCC & much reduced in poorly differentiated OSCC.Bax gene is highly expressed in well & moderately differentiated OSCC & much reduced in poorly differentiated OSCC.conclusion the aberrant Bcl-2 expression & loss of its function observed may play an important role in the tumourgenesis of oral cancers by enabling additional genetic alterations to occur.

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Dr.Lehadh Al-Azzawi has obtained PhD degree in Oral Pathology, College of Dentistry-Baghdad University in 2003. Since she worked in different project in this field, She is the author of several articles published in esteemed journals, supervisor of many theses and member of more than fifty examining committee certification.

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