FGFR3 and p53 protein expressions in patients with pTa and pT1 urothelial bladder cancer

Aims: This study is designed to evaluate the expression and prognostic value of FGFR3 protein expression in patients with pTa/pT1 tumours and to determine the significance of the combinations of FGFR3 and p53 protein expressions in bladder pathogenesis. Materials and methods: A tissue microarray (TMA) of 107 pTa, and 147 pT1 tumours was constructed. The TMA sections were immunostained with FGFR3 and p53 monoclonal antibodies. Results: There were significant associations between loss of FGFR3 and tumour stage (p < 0.001) and grade (p < 0.001) and between p53 overexpression and tumour stage and grade Q)< 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). There was no association between FGFR3 and p53 proteins (p = 0.107). In addition, tumours with FGFR3+/p53- phenotype have slower recurrence rate than other (FGFR3+/p53+, FGFR3-/p53- and FGFR3-/p53+). Conclusion: 1-FGFR3 expression is significantly associated with two important prognostic factors; stage and grade. 2-FGFR3 protein expression is not an independent predictive factor for pTa/pT1 tumour recurrence and progression. 3-Tumours with FGFR3+/p53-phenotype seem to have a distinctive pathway in bladder tumorigenesis. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.