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Telomerase activity in bilharzial bladder cancer. Prognostic implications
I M. Abdel-Salam1, H M. Khaled, H E. Gaballah
1Department of Tumor Biology, National Cancer Institute, Cairo University, Fom El Khalig, 11796, Cairo, Egypt
Urologic Oncology
|June 22, 2001
Summary
Telomerase activity is elevated in bilharzial bladder cancer, though less than in Western bladder cancer. Further research is needed to explore its potential for early detection and as a therapeutic target.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Parasitology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Bladder cancer is a significant health issue in Egypt and other regions where Schistosoma haematobium infection (bilharziasis) is common.
- Bilharzial bladder cancer exhibits distinct clinical and biological characteristics compared to non-bilharzial bladder cancer.
- Telomerase activity is a known marker in various cancers, but its role in bilharzial bladder cancer requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To estimate telomerase activity in bilharzial bladder cancer specimens using the TRAP technique.
- To correlate telomerase activity with clinical and pathological findings in patients with bilharzial bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Bladder cancer tissue specimens were obtained from 57 patients undergoing radical cystectomy.
- Telomerase activity was measured using the PCR-ELISA technique (Telomeric Repeat Amplification Protocol - TRAP).
- Clinical and pathological data, including histology, tumor grade, stage, and lymph node status, were collected and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Telomerase activity was detected in 47.4% of the patients with bilharzial bladder cancer.
- Higher telomerase expression was observed in patients with earlier disease stages (P1-P3a) compared to advanced stages (P3b-P4a) (P=0.03).
- While trends suggested higher telomerase activity in older males, squamous histology, higher grade, or positive nodes, these did not reach statistical significance (P>0.05).
Conclusions:
- Telomerase activity is increased in bilharzial bladder cancer, but to a lesser extent than reported for urothelial carcinoma in Western countries.
- The observed differences in telomerase activity may be attributed to distinct biological behaviors of bilharzial bladder cancer or variations in assay methodologies.
- Larger studies are necessary to confirm these findings and evaluate the potential of telomerase as a biomarker for early detection and a therapeutic target in bilharzial bladder cancer.