title: C-ERBB-2 gene amplification as a prognostic marker in human bladder cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate c-erbB-2 gene amplification and its prognostic significance in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
  
  
  METHODS
  Alterations in the gene copy number of c-erbB-2 were detected in 57 bladder tumor samples using a method based on the polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Eighteen tumors (32%) showed gene amplification of c-erbB-2, which correlated with tumor grade and stage. A strong association of c-erbB-2 amplification with patient survival was also found. The amplification resulted in a significantly poorer prognosis among the patients with high-grade and/or invasive tumors. Multivariate analysis revealed that c-erbB-2 amplification and tumor grade were independent prognostic factors.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our data indicate a possible role of the c-erbB-2 gene in the development of aggressive behavior in bladder tumors. Moreover, the use of c-erbB-2 gene amplification, together with tumor grade and stage, could provide an accurate basis for determining the prognosis of bladder cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Yokohama City University School of Medicine, Yokohama, Japan.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Miyamoto
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kubota
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Noguchi
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Takase
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Matsuzaki
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Moriyama
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Takebayashi
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Kitamura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hosaka
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality; D005260:Female; D018734:Genes, erbB-2 / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016133:Polymerase Chain Reaction; D011379:Prognosis; D015996:Survival Rate; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics* / Q000401:mortality