title: Apoptosis in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter: association with proliferative activity, bcl-2 expression and prognosis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We attempted to clarify the significance of apoptosis in tumor development and progression in 64 cases of transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter by investigating apoptosis, proliferative activity and bcl-2 expression.
  
  
  METHODS
  We used in situ deoxyribonucleic acid nick end labeling for apoptotic cells and immunohistochemical staining for bcl-2 on archival tumor material.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The apoptotic index correlated significantly with mitotic index, histological grade and pathological stage. There was no significant relationship between apoptotic index and bcl-2 expression. Patients with an apoptotic index greater than or equal to 0.22 had a poor prognosis.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Apoptosis is closely related to proliferative activity, tumor differentiation and depth of invasion in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Kanagawa-ken, Japan.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masuda
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Takano
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Iki
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Asakura
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hashiba
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D002455:Cell Division; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D007680:Kidney Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*; D007682:Kidney Pelvis / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis; D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 / Q000096:biosynthesis*; D014516:Ureteral Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2