Apoptosis in transitional cell carcinoma of the renal pelvis and ureter: association with proliferative activity, bcl-2 expression and prognosis.
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.
Masuda
M
M
Department of Urology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Kanagawa-ken, Japan.
Takano
Y
Y
Iki
M
M
Asakura
T
T
Hashiba
T
T
Noguchi
S
S
Hosaka
M
M
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*
D019253:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2