Expression of p27(Kip1) protein in transitional cell carcinoma of the upper urinary tract

The expression of p27(Kip1), a negative regulator of the cell cycle, has be en reported to correlate with the biological behavior and prognosis of seve ral tumors. However, its prognostic importance in transitional cell carcino ma of the upper urinary tract (TCC-UUT) has not previously been investigate d, We investigated p27(Kip1) protein expression using immunohistochemistry in 132 cases of TCC-UUT and also its relation to proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) immunoreactivity, p53 oncoprotein immunoreactivity, clinico pathologic parameters, and clinical outcome, A positive expression of p27(K ip1) protein was recognized in 94.7% of the samples and was apparent within tumor nuclei. m the normal urothelium, its expression was identified in ai l cell layers. A positive expression of p53 oncoprotein was recognized in 2 7.2% of the patients. The PCNA index was 7.4 to 93.1% (mean, 66.4%). Examin ation of the relationships between the expression of p27(Kip1) protein and clinicopathologic findings, PCNA index, and the expression of p53 oncoprote in revealed that the expression of p27(Kip1) protein decreased significantl y with stage and grade. In a univariate analysis of disease-free and overal l survival rates, no correlation was found between the expression of p27(Ki p1) protein and prognosis. The expression of p27(Kip1) protein appears to b e of little or no value in informing the prognosis in TCC-UUT.