Cathepsin B, p53 expression and AgNORs in transitional cell carcinoma

The aim of this study was to assess the relation between silver-strained nu cleolar organizer regions (AgNOR), tumor stage, tumor grade and p53 express ion with cathepsin B staining in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder. Ti ssue sections from 64 transitional cell carcinomas of the bladder were eval uated for the relation between AgNOR, tumor stage, tumor grade and p53 expr ession with cathepsin B staining in the neoplastic and stromal cells. Mean AgNOR values were significantly higher and the presence of p53 expression w ere different in cathepsin B positive and negative tumor and stromal cells. Although the number of cases is limited, this pilot study shows that cathe psin B staining may have a prognostic value in transitional cell carcinoma, but more studies are needed for a definite conclusion.