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Updated: Aug 18, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Tumor Model and the Evaluation of Intravesical saRNA Treatment
Published on: July 28, 2012
Effect of terazosin on tissue vascularity and apoptosis in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder
Anastasios Tahmatzopoulos1, Chad A Lagrange, Li Zeng
1Department of Surgery, Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Medical Center, Lexington, Kentucky, USA.
Objectives:
To present a pilot study to determine whether the alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin can induce apoptosis in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder, similar to the effect seen with prostate cancer. The alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin has recently been shown to induce apoptosis in prostate cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo and to reduce prostatic tissue vascularity by potentially affecting endothelial cell adhesion.
Methods:
The records of 24 men who underwent radical cystectomy for TCC of the bladder at the Lexington Veterans Affairs Medical Center were reviewed. The control group consisted of 15 men who were never exposed to terazosin. The study group consisted of 9 men who were treated with terazosin before cystectomy. Sections of the bladder tumor and normal trigone were subjected to immunohistochemical analysis for microvessel density, endothelial cell CD31 expression, and apoptosis detection (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end labeling), as well as high-molecular-weight cytokeratin staining.
Results:
A significant reduction in tissue vascularity (14.0 versus 19.2, P <0.05) and a significant increase in the apoptotic index (3.0% versus 1.7%, P <0.05) was detected in terazosin-treated bladder tumors compared with untreated bladder tumors. Most TCC specimens (80%) exhibited strong and consistently uniform immunostaining for high-molecular-weight cytokeratin staining.
Conclusions:
These results suggest that terazosin reduces tumor vascularity and induces apoptosis in TCC of the bladder. Additional studies with more patients are necessary to reach definitive conclusions. However, considering the proven apoptotic action of terazosin in prostatic tissue, this study may have implications for the use of terazosin in the treatment of bladder TCC.
Insights
This pilot study suggests terazosin, an alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist, reduces bladder cancer (TCC) vascularity and induces apoptosis. Further research is needed, but results indicate potential therapeutic implications for TCC treatment.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Pharmacology
- Urology
Background:
- Alpha1-adrenoceptor antagonist terazosin demonstrates apoptotic effects on prostate cancer cells.
- Terazosin may reduce prostatic tissue vascularity by impacting endothelial cell adhesion.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if terazosin induces apoptosis in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the bladder.
- To assess terazosin's effect on bladder tumor vascularity.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of 24 men undergoing radical cystectomy for TCC.
- Immunohistochemical analysis of bladder tumor and trigone sections for microvessel density, CD31 expression, and apoptosis.
- Comparison between 9 terazosin-treated patients and 15 controls.
Main Results:
- Terazosin-treated bladder tumors showed significantly reduced vascularity (14.0 vs. 19.2, P <0.05).
- A significant increase in the apoptotic index was observed in terazosin-treated tumors (3.0% vs. 1.7%, P <0.05).
- 80% of TCC specimens displayed uniform high-molecular-weight cytokeratin staining.
Conclusions:
- Terazosin appears to reduce tumor vascularity and induce apoptosis in bladder TCC.
- The findings suggest potential therapeutic applications for terazosin in treating bladder TCC.
- Further patient studies are required for definitive conclusions.