P53 AND RB IMMUNOSTAINING IN LOCALLY ADVANCED BLADDER-CANCER - RELATION TO PROGNOSTIC VARIABLES AND PREDICTIVE VALUE FOR THE LOCAL RESPONSETO RADICAL RADIOTHERAPY

The association between known prognostic variables and altered immuno- staining for the nuclear proteins retinoblastoma (Rb) and p53 was stud ied in a homogeneous series of locally advanced bladder cancer. The pr edictive value of this immunostaining for the local response to intend ed radical radiotherapy was investigated. Among 262 patients treated w ith intended radical radiotherapy between 1967 and 1986, a total of 15 4 patients were evaluable with respect to local response to treatment. The paraffin-embedded specimen from the tumour prior to irradiation w as immunostained with the monoclonal antibodies PMG3-245 for Rb and 18 01 for p53 nuclear proteins after heating in a microwave oven for 40 m in at 650 W. An altered expression of Rb and p53 was observed in 18 an d 42% of the tumours, respectively. p53 overexpression was associated with higher tumour grade. However, the results of the p53 and Rb immun ostaining procedures had no predictive value for tumor response to rad iation treatment, local control or cancer-specific mortality.