Evaluation of transforming growth factor-, procollagen III and tissue polypeptide antigen in carcinoma of the bilharzial bladder

ABSTRACT

Carcinoma in bilharzial bladder is among the most important health problems. The development of the tumor and its biological behavior needs to be well predicted. To approach this problem, this study determined cytosolar levels of transforming group growth factor beta [TGF-beta], procollagen III [PIIINP] and tissue polypeptide antigen [TPA] in cytosols of 27 patients with carcinoma of the bilharzial bladder as well as 18 patients with benign bilharzial lesions. The results were compared with the corresponding values in eight bilharzial control tissues obtained 5 cm apart from benign bilharzial lesions and seven healthy bladder tissues. The study revealed significantly increased levels of TGF-beta, PIIINP and TPA compared with benign bilharzial controls and healthy controls. Also, the levels in benign bilharzial lesions were significantly higher than bilharzial or healthy controls. Despite the higher levels of TGF- beta, PIIINP and TPA in bilharzial compared with healthy controls, the difference was significant only in case of TPA. This data clarify the importance role played by TGF-beta in the pathophysiology of carcinoma of the bilharzial bladder, where it is increased in bilharzial infestation and benign bilharzial lesions reaching its highest concentrations in malignant lesions. Moreover, it seems to act as an angiogenic factor, immunodepressant as well as stimulator of collagen synthesis: