Immunohistochemical Expression of ras p21 and HER-2/neu Oncoproteins in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder / 대한비뇨기과학회지

ABSTRACT

Using specific monoclonal antibodies to the ras and HER-2/neu oncoprotein, a total of 8 normal urothelium and 58 transitional cell carcinoma(TCC) of the urinary bladder were stained immunohistochemically to investigate the possible roles of the oncogenes in the development of bladder TCC and their implications. Of the 52 bladder TCC specimens which contained the outer layer in the sections, 51 tumors showed the expression of the ras p21 in the outer layer. 56 of 58 bladder TCC specimens showed the expression of ras p21 in the intermediate and basal layers. The staining intensity in whole layers was relatively higher than that of the normal urothelium. The staining intensity in outer layer was not correlated with the tumor grade and invasiveness, while in intermediate and basal layers significantly correlated. HER-2/neu expression occurred in 22 (38%) of 58 TCC, whereas no normal urothelial cells were reactive for HER-2/neu. HER-2/neu expression rate was significantly correlated with the tumor grade and invasiveness. These findings suggest that ras and HER-2/neu oncogenes may play a crucial role in the development of bladder TCC and that immunohistochemical characteristics of these oncoproteins may give a additional prognostic information in the patients with bladder TCC.