Epidermal growth factor receptor, MUC-1 and MUC-2 in bladder cancer

The aim of this study was to investigate the immunohistochemical expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mucin-1 (MUC-1) and mucin-2 (M UC-2) proteins in primary bladder carcinomas and to compare EGFR and MUC st aining patterns with the histological findings, grade and stage of bladder carcinoma. Fifty-six surgical specimens obtained from superficial and deepl y invasive bladder carcinomas were studied. Of the 56 bladder tumors 42 (75 %) expressed EGFR, 34 (60.71%) MUC-1 and 15 (26.78%) MUC-2; while 7 tumors (12.5%) coexpressed MUC-1 and MUC-2 proteins. Immunohistochemical scores sh owed higher levels of EGFR than of MUC-1 (P < 0.05) and MUC-2 (P = 0.000) a nd higher levels of MUC-1 than MUC-2 (P = 0.0010). EGFR and MUC-1 expressio n was stronger in high-grade tumors (grade 2/3) than in low-grade (grade 1/ 2) ones (P < 0.05) and stronger in muscle invasive tumors (T2-T4) than in s uperficial (Ta-T1) ones. Linear regression showed a significant (P < 0.05) correlation between EGFR and MUG-1 proteins, but no correlation between EGF R and MUC-2 or between MUC-1 and MUC-2. Immunohistochemical expression of EGFR, MUC-1 and MUC-2 increases as primar y bladder carcinomas acquire a more aggressive phenotype. Differences in th e distribution of EGFR and mucins within the urothelium may be of diagnosti c and prognostic value. These antigens may be useful as markers for bladder malignancy.