Espressione di oncogeni di proliferazione e morte cellulare nel carcinoma superficiale della vescica: Expression of oncogenes in relation to cell proliferation and death in superficial bladder carcinoma

Abstract

Although superficial bladder cancer may be considered “benign”, it is still today a many-sided neoplasm with a prognosis that cannot be well-defined with known traditional parameters. Proliferation indices Ki67 and AgNOR associated with the expression of some oncogenes (p53, Rb, c-myc, BCL2, c-erbB-2) in relation to traditional parameters could help in the prognosis definition of individual patients. 111 patients with superficial bladder cancer were studied for this purpose, relating the grade, stage, follow-up and morphotype to the proliferation indices. Significant correlations were found with AgNOR, but only for grade with Ki67. The study of the oncoproteins and their different expression showed that those alterations typical of infiltration are already present in the superficial forms, with a significant correlation between oncogenic alterations and grade and stage of disease (p53, Rb) on the one hand, and above all of disease-free interval and progression (c-erbB-2) on the other. Lastly, assessment of the oncoproteins c-myc and BCL2, oncogenes connected with the programmed cell death mechanism (apoptosis), showed important correlations with the neoplastic progression of disease in relation to the p53 expression and proliferative activity.