prognostic significance of galectin-3 and p-selectin in transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder

ABSTRACT

Bladder carcinoma is one of the most common malignancies in urology. The most common type of the bladder cancer is transitional cell carcinoma [TCC]. TCC of bladder has a recurrence rate of more than 50%. Therefore, it is important to find some indicators that can predict for recurrence or the development of metastasis. This study investigates the prognostic significance of preoperative serum levels of galectin-3 and P-selectin in patients with transitional cell carcinoma [TCC] of the urinary bladder. Preoperative serum levels of galectin-3 and P-selectin were measured by ELISA [enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay]. The study showed that Galectin-3 and P-selectin serum levels were higher in patients with bladder cancer than in healthy controls. Patients with metastasis had significantly higher levels of both serum Galectin-3 and P-selectin than with localized diseases. High levels of serum Galectin-3 and P-selectin were significantly associated with the clinical tumour stage. However, no significant difference detected between serum levels of galectin-3 and P-selectin in grade II and grade III TCC subgroups. Also, there is a positive correlation between serum Galectin-3 and P-selectin in both control and patient groups. Univariate analysis showed that preoperative serum level of Galectin-3, P-selectin and clinical stages were indicative for clinical progression and tumour specific survival. In a multivariate analysis, clinical stages were an independent prognostic marker for clinical progression and tumour specific survival. These results indicate that both serum Galectin-3, P-selectin levels and clinical tumour stages are closely related to poor prognosis in bladder cancer. So, their levels in bladder cancer patients may be useful in identifying patients at high risk of tumor recurrence