EXPRESSION OF TRANSFORMING GROWTH-FACTOR-BETA-1 IN HUMAN BLADDER-CANCER

Background. Elevated expression of transforming growth factor-beta 1 ( TGF-beta 1) has been reported in several types of human cancer. Howeve r, the significance of TGF-beta 1 expression in clinical bladder cance r is not well known. Methods. The levels of TGF-beta 1 expression were quantitated using a polymerase chain reaction-based method in tissue specimens obtained from 51 patients with bladder cancer. Results. Tran sforming growth factor-beta 1 expression in bladder cancer was higher than that found in normal bladder epithelium (P < 0.01). Significantly higher levels of TGF-beta 1 transcripts were observed in low and inte rmediate grade (Grade 1 and 2) tumors than in high grade (Grade 3) tum ors (P < 0.02). Superficial (pTa and pT1) tumors had higher levels of TGF-beta 1 than invasive (pT2 or higher) tumors (P < 0.05). Conclusion s. These results suggest that enhanced expression of TGF-beta 1 is spe cific to low grade and stage bladder cancer. Transforming growth facto r-beta 1 may play an important role in the early stages of human bladd er cancer development, and TGF-beta 1 expression could provide a new r elevant tumor marker for determining tumor progression in patients wit h bladder cancer.