title: Expression of the polycomb group protein EZH2 and its relation to outcome in patients with urothelial carcinoma of the bladder.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The polycomb group protein Enhancer of Zeste Homolg 2 (EZH2), a repressor of gene transcription, has been linked to the progression of various malignancies. This study was done to examine a potential correlation of EZH2 mRNA expression with clinicopathological parameters and outcome in patients with urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder.
  
  
  METHODS
  We determined the relative EZH2 gene expression by quantitative RT-PCR in tumor specimens from a cohort of 100 patients with UC (mean follow-up 44.2 months). EZH2 expression levels were correlated to pathological tumor features and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Enhancer of Zeste Homolg 2 was expressed in 90% of the tumor samples. Expression levels increased in parallel with tumor stage (P = 0.002). High grade UC displayed significantly elevated EZH2 levels compared to low grade disease (P < 0.0001). High EZH2 expression was related to an abbreviated time to recurrence in muscle invasive carcinomas (pT >/= 2) (P = 0.028). No such correlation was detected in the group of superficial tumors (pT </= 1) (P = 0.191). High EZH2 expression levels were associated with an increased risk of tumor related death in the univariate analysis (relative risk, 3.1; P = 0.029). This association became non-significant when the prognostic effect of tumor stage was considered in a multivariate model.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Enhancer of Zeste Homolg 2 expression is related to an aggressive tumor behavior but due to its strong association with pathological features, EZH2 levels do not provide independent prognostic information.
authors: Department of Urology, Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Charité Campus Benjamin Franklin, Hindenburgdamm 30, 12200 Berlin, Germany. stefan.hinz@charite.de
authors: Stefan
authors: S
authors: Hinz
authors: Carsten
authors: C
authors: Kempkensteffen
authors: Frank
authors: F
authors: Christoph
authors: Michèle
authors: M
authors: Hoffmann
authors: Hans
authors: H
authors: Krause
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Schrader
authors: Martin
authors: M
authors: Schostak
authors: Kurt
authors: K
authors: Miller
authors: Steffen
authors: S
authors: Weikert
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*; D045744:Cell Line, Tumor; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics*; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D044127:Epigenesis, Genetic; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000235:genetics*; D001743:Urinary Bladder / Q000473:pathology; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality* / Q000473:pathology*
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D014157:Transcription Factors; C498409:EZH2 protein, human; D000071221:Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein; D063151:Polycomb Repressive Complex 2
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