engleski

Fibronectin and galectin- 3 expression in urinary bladder cancer

Background & objectives: Urothelial carcinoma comprises most cases of urinary bladder cancer. The aim of this research was to determine the expression of fibronectin and galectin-3 in urothelial carcinoma epithelium and stroma and its relation to tumour grade, stage and disease relapse. Methods: In this study, 110 patients with bladder urothelial carcinoma were grouped according to tumour grade and stage. Tissue was routinely stained for HE and immunohistochemistry performed according to manufacturer protocol. Epithelial and stromal fibronectin and galectin- 3 expression was scored regarding to intensity and percentage of positive cells. Results: Positive correlation between fibronectin tumour epithelium expression and tumour grade (p=0, 044), pT stage (p=0, 001) and pN stage (p=0, 037) was found. Positive correlation between fibronectin stromal expression and disease relapse (high grade tumours, Ta/T1) (p=0, 03) was determined. Negative correlation between fibronectin stromal expression and pT stage was demonstrated (p=0, 001). Galectin- 3 in tumour epithelium positively correlated with pT stage (p=0, 046) and disease relapse (tumour group with lymph node metastasis T2N1/2) (p=0, 00). Conclusion: Fibronectin and galectin-3 are glycoproteins of extracellular matrix active in cell adhesion, dedifferentiation, profibrotic, proinflammatory changes, growth and apoptosis. Epithelial and stromal component, as well as changes in extracellular matrix protein expression are responsible for tumour progression and formation of protumoral microenvironment. Our research demonstrated that increased expression of fibronectin and galectin-3 in tumour epithelium and decreased fibronectin tumour stromal expression is related to aggressive tumour growth, therefore these markers are possible candidates to indicate aggressive behaviour of this tumour.

urinary bladder carcinoma ; fibronectin ; galectin- 3

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