Περίληψη:
Epithelial differentiation antigens have been correlated with
morphologic differentiation of neoplastic urothelium. Moreover,
epidermal growth factor, which is a polypeptide regulating growth and
differentiation of normal and neoplastic cells, is found in high
concentrations in the urine while its receptors (EGFR) have been
identified in bladder tumors. The aim of this study was to investigate
the immunohistochemical expression of cytokeratin, epithelial membrane
antigen (EMA), CEA and EGFR in transitional cell bladder carcinomas
(TCC) and to define any correlation of their expression with tumor
grade, stage and patient survival. Twenty-four biopsy specimens obtained
from patients with TCC were studied retrospectively. There were 23 men
and 1 woman with a mean follow-up of 64 months. Eight biopsy specimens,
which represented tumor recurrences of 4 patients, were also included in
our material. The immunohistochemical avidin-biotin complex method was
performed on paraffin sections for the detection of cytokeratin and EGFR
with monoclonal antibodies as well as CEA with a polyclonal antibody.
Cytokeratin was detected in 83.5% of the TCC, EMA in 62% and CEA in
70%. The expression of the epithelial differentiation antigens in TCCs
was heterogenous, showing an increased incidence in high-grade and
high-stage TCC. The CEA expression in TCC demonstrated a statistically
significant correlation with patient survival (p < 0.02). EGFR was
detected in 50% of the TCC. Although not statistically significant, a
trend was found for a higher percentage of EGFR detection in high-grade
TCC. EGFR expression was significantly associated with tumor stage and
patient survival (p < 0.01 and p < 0.04, respectively). In conclusion,
EGFR and CEA expression is a property of biologically aggressive
malignant urothelium. Studies on larger series are to be performed to
define if these markers are prognostic indicators in bladder cancer
patients.
Συγγραφείς:
NAKOPOULOU, L
ZERVAS, A
CONSTANTINIDES, C
DELIVELIOTIS, C
and STEFANAKI, K
DIMOPOULOS, C
