RESUMO
Objective To investigate the expression of Uroplakin Ⅱ (UPⅡ) gene together with other conventional parameters in the patients with transitional cell carcinoma(TCC). Methods Total RNAs extracted from solid tumor tissues and blood samples of patients with TCC were reverse transcribed and subjected to polymerase chain reaction amplification (RT PCR).The products of RT PCR were analyzed by agarose gel electrophoresis. The expressions in solid tissues of other kinds of tumors and blood samples of non neoplasm patients served as controls. Results UPⅡ gene were expressed in all the solid tumor tissues of TCC(100%) and in the blood samples of 5 patients of T 3～T 4 neogrowth(39%), 2 of the 5 cases had hematogenous metastasis which became nondetectable after chemotherapy; UPⅡ gene has not been detected in the blood samples of T 1～T 2 TCC patients, the non neoplasm patients and other kinds of solid tumor tissues. Conclusions UPⅡ is one of the specific markers of urothelium.It can be found in TCC patients of stage T 3～T 4 and in patients with metastasis. The detection of UPⅡ in the blood sample might serve as a marker for chemotherapeutic efficacy.