Expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 in human bladder cancer.
BACKGROUND
Elevated expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 (TGF-beta 1) has been reported in several types of human cancer. However, the significance of TGF-beta 1 expression in clinical bladder cancer is not well known.


METHODS
The levels of TGF-beta 1 expression were quantitated using a polymerase chain reaction-based method in tissue specimens obtained from 51 patients with bladder cancer.


RESULTS
Transforming growth factor-beta 1 expression in bladder cancer was higher than that found in normal bladder epithelium (P < 0.01). Significantly higher levels of TGF-beta 1 transcripts were observed in low and intermediate grade (Grade 1 and 2) tumors than in high grade (Grade 3) tumors (P < 0.02). Superficial (pTa and pT1) tumors had higher levels of TGF-beta 1 than invasive (pT2 or higher) tumors (P < 0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that enhanced expression of TGF-beta 1 is specific to low grade and stage bladder cancer. Transforming growth factor-beta 1 may play an important role in the early stages of human bladder cancer development, and TGF-beta 1 expression could provide a new relevant tumor marker for determining tumor progression in patients with bladder cancer.
Miyamoto
H
H
Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Yokohama City University, Japan.
Kubota
Y
Y
Shuin
T
T
Torigoe
S
S
Dobashi
Y
Y
Hosaka
M
M
D000199:Actins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D004848:Epithelium / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D014158:Transcription, Genetic; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000378:metabolism; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology
D000199:Actins; D008233:Lymphotoxin-alpha; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm