Korean J Urol.  2010 Feb;51(2):94-100.

Expression of Fibroblast Growth Factor Receptor 3 in the Recurrence of Non-Muscle-Invasive Urothelial Carcinoma of the Bladder

• Maeng YH
• Eun SY
• Huh JS

Abstract

PURPOSE: The fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) gene is known to be frequently mutated in noninvasive urothelial carcinomas of the bladder. In this study, we investigated the expression of FGFR3, Ki-67, and p53 in bladder cancers and the effects of expression on tumor recurrence.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Fifty-five cases of primary bladder cancer were examined by immunohistochemistry. The relationship of these markers with various clinicopathological factors, including recurrence, was assessed.
RESULTS
Positivity for cytoplasmic FGFR3 (FGFR3-c) was associated with a lower cancer grade (p=0.022) and stage (p=0.011). Recurrence was more frequent in patients with a higher stage, negative FGFR3-c, and high Ki-67 expression. According to univariate analysis, predictors of recurrence-free survival included the following: age, stage, FGFR-c, Ki-67, and p53. However, none of these was independent from the other parameters in multivariate studies.
CONCLUSIONS
The immunohistochemical expression of FGFR3 is not only one of the characteristic features of lower-grade and lower-stage urothelial carcinoma but also a possible marker in predicting disease recurrence.

Keyword

Carcinoma, transitional cell; Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3; p53 genes; Recurrence

MeSH Terms

Carcinoma, Transitional Cell
Cytoplasm
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Fibroblasts
Genes, p53
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor
Recurrence
Urinary Bladder
Urinary Bladder Neoplasms
Fibroblast Growth Factors
Receptor, Fibroblast Growth Factor, Type 3
Receptors, Fibroblast Growth Factor

Figure

• 

  FIG. 1 Immunohistochemical expression of FGFR3 in bladder cancer. (A) Strong cytoplasmic expression in tumor cells of low-grade urothelial carcinoma (×400). (B) Negative cytoplasmic FGFR3 reaction in high-grade urothelial carcinoma (×200). (C) Nuclear FGFR3 expression. FGFR3: fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (×400).

• 

  FIG. 2 Kaplan-Meier analyses for recurrence-free survival. (A) Cytoplasmic FGFR3 expression (p=0.012). (B) Nuclear FGFR3 expression (p=0.042). (C) Ki-67 (p=0.01). (D) p53 (p=0.011). FGFR3: fibroblast growth factor receptor 3.

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