[Apoptosis and expression of PCNA in superficial transitional cell bladder cancer as related to recurrence].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the expression of apoptosis and PCNA in superficial transitional cell bladder cancer and to evaluate its significance as a recurrence marker.


METHODS
87 cases of superficial transitional cell bladder cancer were analysed for the expression of apoptosis and PCNA by using the 3-end labeling method of DNA and immunohistochemical staining in tissue sections. The apoptotic indexes and PCNA indexes were respectively the percentages of apoptotic cells or PCNA positive cells among tumor cells.


RESULTS
The end labeling method allowed a precise evaluation of the expression of apoptosis. Apoptosis occurred in 89.6% of superficial transitional cell bladder cancer. In 17 patients who suffered from tumor recurrence, the ratio of apoptosis indexes to PCNA indexes was significantly higher than that in those without recurrence (P < 0.01).


CONCLUSIONS
The ratio of apoptosis indexes to PCNA indexes was believed to be related to tumor recurrence and might be of value in the assessment of recurrence of superficial transitional cell bladder cancer.
Chen
L
L
Department of Urology, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080.
Wang
X
X
Mei
H
H
Chen
W
W
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017209:Apoptosis / Q000235:genetics; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*; D053938:DNA Fragmentation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen / Q000032:analysis*; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology*
D018809:Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen