OBJECTIVE
To determine the utility of p185 oncogene in the biological characterization of transitional cell carcinoma and in the prediction of recurrence, and to analyze survival at 5 years mean follow-up.
METHODS
A prospective clinical cohort study was conducted on 81 patients. Tissue specimens were obtained between November 1992 and November 1993. The study comprised two groups: nontumoral bladder tissue specimens from 20 patients (group I) and tissue specimens from 61 patients with bladder carcinoma (group II). p185 expression was determined by enzyme immunoanalysis (EIA). A statistical analysis of the results was performed.
RESULTS
p185 oncoprotein levels were higher in patients with recurrence (1098.97 HNU/mg protein vs. 924.54 HNU/mg). Although higher levels of p185 were found in the patients that had died vs those who are alive, the differences were not statistically significant for overall survival or stratification by tumor grade or infiltration (p = 0.556; ns).
CONCLUSIONS
Determination of p185 oncoprotein was found to be useful in the prediction of tumor recurrence at 5 years mean follow-up.