Expression of transforming growth factor‐beta 1 in human bladder cancer

Abstract

Background. Elevated expression of transforming growth factor‐beta 1 (TGF‐01) has been reported in several types of human cancer. However, the significance of TGF‐β1 expression in clinical bladder cancer is not well known. Methods. The levels of TGF‐β1 expression were quantitated using a polymerase chain reaction‐based method in tissue specimens obtained from 51 patients with bladder cancer. Results. Transforming 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‐β1 transcripts were observed in low and intermediate grade (Grade 1 and 2) tumors than in high grade (Grade 3) tumors (P < 0.02). Superficial (pTa and pT1) tumors had higher levels of TGF‐β1 than invasive (pT2 or higher) tumors (P < 0.05). Conclusions. These results suggest that enhanced expression of TGF‐β1 is specific to low grade and stage bladder cancer. Transforming growth factor‐beta 1 may play an important role in the early stages of human bladder cancer development, and TGF‐β1 expression could provide a new relevant tumor marker for determining tumor progression in patients with bladder cancer. Copyright © 1995 American Cancer Society