@article{3112242,
    title = "Prognostic significance of apoptotic cell death in bladder cancer: A tissue microarray study on 179 urothelial carcinomas from cystectomy specimens",
    author = "Karamitopoulou, E. and Rentsch, C.A. and Markwalder, R. and Vallan, C. and Thalmann, G.N. and Brunner, T.",
    journal = "EMC - Toxicologie-Pathologie",
    year = "2010",
    volume = "42",
    number = "1",
    pages = "37-42",
    publisher = "Lippincott Williams and Wilkins",
    doi = "10.3109/00313020903434397",
    abstract = "Aims: To assess the prognostic significance of apoptosis related markers in bladder cancer. Methods: A tissue microarray containing 179 bladder carcinomas from cystectomy specimens was analysed immunohistochemically for active caspase-3, single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), p53, Bcl-2, Bax, and COX-2, in correlation to clinicopathological factors. Results: Active caspase-3, ssDNA, p53, Bax and COX-2 were more frequently observed among high grade and higher stage (≥T2) carcinomas compared with low grade and lower stage (T1) tumours. On the contrary, Bcl-2 was more frequently detected in T1 than in ≥T2 carcinomas. Active caspase-3 correlated with a better survival of the patients. Conclusions: The decreased detection of active caspase-3 and ssDNA and the increased presence of Bcl-2 in T1 carcinomas suggest that alterations in interrelated apoptosis markers may play an important role in the progression of urothelial carcinoma from a superficially infiltrating to a muscle invading tumour and would help to better characterise a subpopulation of T1 carcinomas that could profit from early cystectomy or more aggressive adjuvant chemotherapy. Active caspase-3 might be an important prognostic factor in bladder cancer. © 2010 Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia."
}