Cookies on this website

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you click 'Accept all cookies' we'll assume that you are happy to receive all cookies and you won't see this message again. If you click 'Reject all non-essential cookies' only necessary cookies providing core functionality such as security, network management, and accessibility will be enabled. Click 'Find out more' for information on how to change your cookie settings.

Introduction: p53 and bd-2 are both apoptosis-regulating genes which are gaining importance in elucidating the biological behaviour of human malignancies. Whilst an inverse correlation between bcl-2 and p53 immunoreactivity in bladder cancer specimens was shown in some studies, others found no additional predictive value in combining the results of p53 and bcl-2 immunohistochemical staining in invasive disease. The aim of this study was to investigate the detection of p53 nuclear protein accumulation and bcl-2 protein overexpression in human bladder cancer by immunohistochemistry, and their association with tumour progression. Patients and methods: Samples from 79 patients with histologically proven, newly diagnosed bladder cancer were studied using immunohistochemical techniques. Results: Fifteen patients (19%) had bcl-2-positive tumours and 32 (41%) were positive for p53. The expression of p53 was related to both tumour grade and histological stage at diagnosis; bcl-2 expression was related to tumour stage but not histological grade. Seventeen of 32 p53-positive patients (52%) had disease progression, compared with 15 of 47 (32%) who progressed with p53-negative tumours (P = 0.04). p53-positive patients had a significantly shorter time to progression (P < 0.001); 10 of 15 bcl-2-positive patients progressed, compared with 22 (34%) who were bcl-2-negative. Patients with bcl-2-positive tumours had a significantly shorter time to progression (P = 0.004). There was no correlation between p53 and bcl-2 expression. The combined expression of both p53 and bcl-2 did not affect the outcome significantly. Conclusions: This study confirms the association of p53 and bcl-2 accumulation with aggressive behaviour in bladder cancer. Expression of these proteins detected by immunohistochemistry has significant prognostic value and may be useful in clinical decision-making. © 1998 British Journal of Urology.

Type

Journal article

Journal

British Journal of Urology

Publication Date

01/12/1998

Volume

81