Significance of collagenase 3 (matrix metalloproteinase 13) in invasive bladder cancer: Correlation with pathological parameters

Purpose: To determine if collagenase 3 expression is associated with stage progression and prognosis of bladder cancer. Patients and Methods: Immunohistochemical staining for collagenase 3 was carried out on serial sections from specimens of 42 patients ( 32 males and 10 females) who underwent radical cystectomy for bladder cancer ( median followup, 67.2 +/- 5.99 months). Results: Immunohistochemical expression of collagenase 3 was detected in 13 ( 31%) patients. Pathological stage was pT2 in 12 ( 28.57%) patients, pT3a in 7 ( 16.6%), pT3b in 21 ( 50%) and pT4 in 2 ( 4.76%). Four tumours ( 9.52%) were grade II and 38 ( 90.47%) were grade III. Stage and tumours > 3 cm in size were associated with bladder cancer progression- free survival and overall survival. We did not find any statistical differences with collagenase 3 expression related with stage and size. Conclusions: Immunohistochemical expression of matrix metalloproteinase 13 in invasive bladder cancer is not useful as marker for transformation and invasion. These findings should be evaluated in large multicentre prospective trials. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.