title: Expression of transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor in human bladder cancer.
abstract: We analysed the expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha) in human bladder tumours. Tumour biopsies were obtained from 54 patients with primary bladder cancer (18 stage T1 and 36 stage T2-4). The protein and mRNA expression of EGFr and TGF-alpha were quantified by ELISA and competitive RT-PCR, respectively. The EGFr protein level was significantly increased in T2-4 tumours (0.44 x 10(-11); 0.0-27.5 x 10(-11) mol/g) compared with T1 tumours (0.0; 0.0-2.0 x 10(-11) mol/g) (median; range; 2p<0.01). The EGFr protein and mRNA level correlated (Spearman r=0.45, 2p<0.005, n=40). Co-expression of TGF-alpha protein and EGFr protein was significantly associated with muscle invasive tumours (T2-4) (chi-squared=7.9, df=3, p<0.05) and the TGF-alpha protein level correlated significantly with EGFr protein expression (Spearman r=0.56, 2p<0.0001, n=54). While tumour stage correlated with survival, no correlation was observed between survival and the expression of EGFr and/or TGF-alpha. In conclusion, human bladder tumours express both EGFr and TGF-alpha. The expression of EGFr and TGF-alpha are closely correlated, and the expression of EGFr and co-expression of EGFr and TGF-alpha correlate with tumour stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Biochemistry, Aarhus University Hospital, Denmark. vbt@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: V B
authors.initials: VB
authors.lastname: Thøgersen
authors.forename: P E
authors.initials: PE
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: B S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Sørensen
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bross
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Orntoft
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Wolf
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nexø
mesh_terms: D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D066246:ErbB Receptors / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000032:analysis; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D015996:Survival Rate; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha / Q000032:analysis / Q000235:genetics*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D016211:Transforming Growth Factor alpha; D066246:ErbB Receptors