Expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, receptor KDR and p53 protein in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder

Aim: To evaluate the expression profile of vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF), kinase-insert-domain-containing receptor (KDR) and p53 in patients from Northeastern China with transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of bladder. Materials and Methods: One hundred and twelve patients with bladder transitional cell carcinoma were involved in this study. The expression of VEGF, KDR and p53 were evaluated by immunohistochemical staining on paraffin-embedded slides. The correlations between the biomarkers with clinical pathological characteristics were assessed; the co-expression of VEGF and KDR in tumor cells as well as the correlation between p53 and VEGF/KDR expression were analyzed. Results: Expression of VEGF, KDR and p53 was observed in 69.6, 55.4 and 48.2% of TCC patients, respectively. VEGF, KDR and p53 expressions were found to be higher in the invasive bladder tumors than in the superficial tumors, and KDR and p53 expression were significantly associated with higher tumor grade. Co-expression of VEGF and KDR was found in 51 patients, and VEGF expression was associated with KDR expression. Positive correlations were found between p53 protein and VEGF/ KDR expression. Conclusion: Our results suggest that VEGF, KDR and p53 might be valuable biomarkers in prognosis of TCC patients. Co-expression of VEGF and KDR implied an autocrine signaling of VEGF in tumor cells, and the results of immunohistochemical staining supported the role of p53 gene in the process of angiogenesis. Copyright (c) 2008 S. Karger AG, Basel.