Combined effects of p53, p21, and pRb expression in the progression of bladder transitional cell carcinoma

To determine the combined effects of p53, p21, and pRb alterations in predicting the progression of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.

p53, p21, and pRb expression was examined immunohistochemically on archival radical cystectomy samples from 164 patients with invasive or high-grade recurrent superficial transitional cell carcinoma (TCC; lymph node-negative, 117 patients; lymph node-positive, 47 patients). Median follow-up was 8.6 years. Based on percentage of nuclear reactivity, p53 was considered as wild-type (0% to 10%) or altered (>10%); p21 was scored as wild-type (>10%) or altered (<10%); and pRb status was considered wild-type (1% to 50%) or altered (0% or >50%).

As individual determinants, the p53, p21, and pRb status were independent predictors of time to recurrence (P<.001, P<.001, and P<.001, respectively), and overall survival (P<.001, P=.002, and P=.001, respectively). By examining these determinants in combination, patients were categorized as group I (no alteration in any determinant, 47 patients), group II (any one determinant altered, 51 patients), group III (any two determinants altered, 42 patients), and group IV (all three determinants altered, 24 patients). The 5-year recurrence rates in these groups were 23%, 32%, 57%, and 93%, respectively (log-rank P<.001), and the 5-year survival rates were 70%, 58%, 33%, and 8%, respectively (log-rank P<.001). After stratifying by stage, the number of altered proteins remained significantly associated with time to recurrence and overall survival.

This study suggests that alterations in p53, p21, and pRb act in cooperative or synergistic ways to promote bladder cancer progression. Examining these determinants in combination provides additional information above the use of a single determinant alone.