Expression of BCL-2 and BAX-1 genes in the tissue of Ta, T1 urothelial carcinoma and their prognostic value
Abstract
Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic value of BCL-2 and BAX-1 gene expression in the tissue of non-muscle invasive superficial urothelial carcinoma. Methods: This study included 84 patients with Ta, T1 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder treated with transurethral resection.
Mean follow-up was 23.64 months. Histopathological diagnosis of Ta was made in 48 patients, Tl in 36 patients, 23 patients were diagnosed with grade G1 tumor, 45 with grade G2 and 16 with grade G3.
During the course of follow-up, tumor recurrence developed in 38 patients and progression was observed in 4 patients. The expression of BCL-2 and BAX-1 was examined using RT-PCR and determined using semi quantitatively.
Gene glyceraldehyde-3-phosphodehydrogenasy (GAPDH) was used as the comparative gene. Results: Expression of BCL-2 was detected in 80 cases (95.2%) and the expression of BAX-1 in 72 cases (85.7%).
The correlation between tumor recurrence and gene expression was not statistically significant. A statistically significant correlation was identified between the expression of BAX and grade of the tumor (p = 0.0459).
The prognostic value of gene expression, with regard to disease progression, was not evaluated due to a small sample size. Conclusions: A significant correlation between the degree of BAX-1 expression and tumor grade was identified.
No significant correlations were documented between gene expression and the other parameters studied.