The Relationship of Clusterin Expression and Ki-67 Labeling Index with Clinicopathologic Factors in Human Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Chon, Won Hee; Lee, Sang Don; Lee, Jeong Zoo; Choi, Kyung Woon

Abstract

PURPOSE: This study examined the expression of clusterin and Ki-67 in human transitional cell carcinoma(TCC). In addition, the relationship of clusterin and Ki-67 expression with the clinicopathological factors and prognosis of human TCC was investigated.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
149 human TCC tissues were obtained from 149 patients who underwent a radical cystectomy(n=81) or transurethral resection(n=68). The expression of clusterin and Ki-67 was analyzed using immunohistochemical staining. The results were evaluated with respect to the clinicopathological factors.
RESULTS
Positive clusterin expression was observed in 21.1% of the total TCC tissues. The expression of clusterin was not significantly related to age, gender, tumor stage and grade. However, recurrence-free survival rate of the patients with positive clusterin expression was significantly lower than that of patients with negative clusterin expression(p=0.02). The expression level of Ki-67 in the TCC tissues was associated with the tumor stage(p<0.001) and grade(p<0.001), but not with age and gender. Furthermore, the recurrence-free survival rate of patients with strong Ki-67 expression was significantly lower than that of patients with weak Ki-67 expression(p<0.001). The expression of clusterin was not significantly related to the level of Ki-67 expression. However, in the patients showing strong Ki-67 expression, the recurrence-free survival rate of the patients with positive clusterin expression was significantly lower than that of the patients with negative clusterin expression(p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
These results suggest that the expression of clusterin and Ki-67 can be used as a useful predictor of the prognosis of patients with human TCC.