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3-D Cell Culture System for Studying Invasion and Evaluating Therapeutics in Bladder Cancer
Published on: September 13, 2018
erbB receptor expression patterns in human bladder cancer
P H Rajjayabun1, P E Keegan, J Lunec
1Northern Institute for Cancer Research, University of Newcastle, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.
Objectives:
To investigate expression patterns of erbB receptors in a panel of 58 human bladder tumors. Aberrant functional and structural interactions of erbB type I receptor tyrosine kinase cell surface receptors are important in the development and maintenance of the malignant phenotype. Few studies have focused on the remaining family members or patterns of receptor coexpression in urothelial cancer.
Methods:
Frozen tumor samples from 58 patients with newly diagnosed bladder cancer were collected; 18 had Stage Ta, 20 Stage T1, and 20 had Stage T2 or worse. The grade was G1 in 5, G2 in 24, and G3 in 29 patients. Seven normal urothelial samples were obtained from patients with benign urologic conditions. The tumor material was probed using conventional immunoblotting and enhanced chemiluminescence. The blots were captured with digital imaging, and protein expression was quantified with gel analysis software.
Results:
Most tumors exhibited detectable expression of at least one erbB receptor. Examples of coexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and erbB-2 were also found. Detectable erbB-3 or erbB-4 protein expression was lacking in this series. Compared with other tumors, the T1 samples exhibited the greatest mean levels of erbB-2 protein expression (P = 0.0028). Of the 58 tumors, 10 (17.2%) coexpressed EGFr and erbB-2; this was associated with T1 disease (P = 0.03).
Conclusions:
Varied levels of expression of both EGFr and erbB-2 appear to exist in human bladder cancer. These preliminary data do not support erbB-3/4 as major protagonists in this tumor system. The observations presented suggest a role for EGFr and erbB-2 in the development and progression of bladder cancer that should be explored further.
Insights
Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and erbB-2 was investigated in human bladder cancer. Findings suggest these receptors play a role in bladder cancer development and progression.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Aberrant interactions of erbB type I receptor tyrosine kinases are crucial in cancer development.
- Limited research exists on coexpression patterns of erbB family members in urothelial cancer.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression patterns of erbB receptors in human bladder tumors.
- To explore potential coexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFr) and erbB-2 in bladder cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed 58 human bladder tumor samples (Stages Ta, T1, T2+) and 7 normal urothelial samples.
- Utilized immunoblotting and enhanced chemiluminescence to detect protein expression.
- Quantified protein levels using digital imaging and gel analysis software.
Main Results:
- Most tumors showed expression of at least one erbB receptor; EGFr and erbB-2 coexpression was observed.
- T1 stage bladder tumors exhibited significantly higher mean erbB-2 protein expression.
- 17.2% of tumors coexpressed EGFr and erbB-2, associated with T1 disease.
Conclusions:
- EGFr and erbB-2 show varied expression in bladder cancer, suggesting a role in its development and progression.
- erbB-3 and erbB-4 do not appear to be major factors in this tumor type.
- Further research is warranted to explore the role of EGFr and erbB-2 in bladder cancer.
