Metallothionein in bladder cancer: correlation of overexpression with poor outcome after chemotherapy.
We examined metallothionein (MT) expression in bladder cancer and its relationship to clinicopathologic factors, survival data, and outcome of chemotherapy. In 97 patients who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer, 34 of whom received cisplatin-based chemotherapy, MT expression was evaluated immunohistochemically. Results were correlated with histopathologic data, survival rates, and outcome of chemotherapy. MT overexpression was present in 33 patients (34.0%): strong in 7 (7.2%) and focal in 26 (26.8%). Overexpression was an independent prognostic factor and was significantly associated with poor survival. Patients undergoing chemotherapy showed worse survival if their tumours were MT-positive than if they were MT-negative. MT overexpression predicts unfavorable survival in bladder cancer patients. In those treated with cisplatin chemotherapy, survival is significantly poorer if tumours express MT. Our results show that MT overexpression may mediate resistance to alkylating agents. Therefore, further studies are warranted to define those patients who need a more aggressive therapy.
Wülfing
Christian
C
Department of Urology, University of Münster, Albert-Schweitzer Strasse 33, 48129 Münster, Germany. wulfing@uni-muenster.de
van Ahlen
Hermann
H
Eltze
Elke
E
Piechota
Hansjürgen
H
Hertle
Lothar
L
Schmid
Kurt-Werner
KW
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D002295:Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008668:Metallothionein / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000401:mortality
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008668:Metallothionein; D002945:Cisplatin