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Updated: Jun 8, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Overexpression of BDNF and TrkB in human bladder cancer specimens
Pei Chun Lai1, Ted H Chiu, Yen Ta Huang
1Institute of Pharmacology and Toxicology, Tzu Chi University, Hualien 970, Taiwan, ROC.
Abstract:
BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) and TrkB (tropomyosin receptor kinase B) are expressed in several tumor types. However, the existence of BDNF and TrkB in human bladder cancer, especially transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), has not been established. In this study, commercial TCC tissue arrays were used. Slides of paraffin-fixed human bladder tissues included all grades of TCC (13, 30 and 22 tissue samples in grade I, II and III, respectively), superficial and invasive TCC (31 and 34 tissue samples, respectively), paired malignancy-uninvolved urothelium (35 tissue samples) and normal urothelial tissues (12 tissue samples). The intensities of BDNF and TrkB immunostaining were graded as background, mild and strong (score as 0, 1 and 2, respectively). The results showed significantly overexpressed BDNF and TrkB in TCC samples compared to normal urothelium. According to grade assignment of TCC samples, BDNF in grade III and TrkB in grade I and III appeared to be overexpressed. BDNF and TrkB were overexpressed in superficial TCC samples according to staging classification. The score between the paired TCC and its uninvolved urothelium was not statistically different. In conclusion, the existence of overexpressed BDNF and TrkB in human TCC has been demonstrated in our study. A strategy involving BDNF/TrkB blockade may be a new hope for TCC target therapy.
Insights
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) are overexpressed in human bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). This suggests BDNF/TrkB blockade could be a novel therapeutic strategy for TCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Cancer Research
Background:
- Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB) are implicated in various tumor types.
- Their presence and role in human bladder cancer, specifically transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), remain largely unestablished.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of BDNF and TrkB in human TCC.
- To determine if BDNF and TrkB expression correlates with TCC grade and stage.
Main Methods:
- Utilized commercial TCC tissue arrays comprising various grades and stages of TCC, paired uninvolved urothelium, and normal urothelial tissues.
- Employed immunostaining to assess BDNF and TrkB expression intensities, graded as background, mild, or strong (0, 1, 2).
- Performed statistical analysis to compare expression levels between TCC and normal tissues, and across different grades and stages.
Main Results:
- Significantly higher expression of BDNF and TrkB was observed in TCC samples compared to normal urothelium.
- BDNF overexpression was noted in grade III TCC, while TrkB was overexpressed in grades I and III.
- Both BDNF and TrkB showed overexpression in superficial TCC samples.
- No significant difference in expression scores was found between paired TCC and uninvolved urothelium.
Conclusions:
- This study confirms the overexpression of BDNF and TrkB in human TCC.
- The findings support the potential of targeting the BDNF/TrkB pathway as a novel therapeutic approach for TCC.
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