Title: Potentials of transforming growth factors alpha and beta-1 in predicting the clinical outcome of bladder carcinoma

Authors: Hanan Gamal El-Baz, Manal M. Kamel, Olfat Ali Hammam, Ahmad Gamal El-Baz

Addresses: Departments of Immunology, Research Institute, El Nile road Warrak El-Hadar, P.O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza 12411, Egypt. ' Departments of Immunology, Research Institute, El Nile road Warrak El-Hadar, P.O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza 12411, Egypt. ' Department of Pathology, Research Institute, El Nile road Warrak El-Hadar, P.O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza 12411, Egypt. ' Department of Urology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, El Nile road Warrak El-Hadar, P.O. Box 30 Imbaba, Giza 12411, Egypt

Abstract: Elevated serum levels of transforming growth factors alpha and beta-1 with over-expression of tissue TGF-β1 are associated with cancer invasion. This study was performed to address the role of serums TGF-α, TGF-β1 and TGF-β1 expression in bladder tissue as prognostic biologic markers of bladder cancer. Serum levels were measured by enzyme immunoassay; TGF-β1 tissue expression was assayed by immunohistochemical staining. Mean serum levels were significantly increased in malignant gp compared to control gp and chronic cystitis. Among transitional cell carcinoma gp, serum levels of growth factors were increased in patients with invasive, high-grade tumours compared to those with superficial, low-grade ones. Schistosomal infestation increases TGF-α serum levels. A positive correlation was found between TGF-β1 level of tissue expression; its circulating serum level in chronic cystitis and malignant gps. Data indicate that serum levels of TGF-α and TGF-β1 and bladder tissue expression of TGF-β1 could be used as predictive indicators for clinical outcomes of bladder carcinoma. This may help in selecting patients for intensive surgical or chemotherapeutic approaches.

Keywords: schistosomal infestation; bladder cancer; transforming growth factors; TGF-alpha; TGF-beta-1; enzyme immunoassay; immunohistochemical staining; bladder carcinoma; serum levels.

DOI: 10.1504/IJIS.2010.034900

International Journal of Immunological Studies, 2010 Vol.1 No.2, pp.169 - 182

Published online: 30 Aug 2010 *

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