The genetic alterations in the oncogenic pathway of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder and its prognostic value

Abstract

This review focuses on the main oncogenes studied in transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) in order to describe their mechanisms of action and investigate their possible prognostic value. Each oncogene family is reported following the order through which the proliferative signal is transduced from the extracellular space via a growth factor to the nucleus where transcription factors are switched on. Oncogenic activation at any level of the pathway will cause an increased transcription of genes enhancing the cell cycle, and proliferation will therefore be amplified. The main molecular or immunohistochemical studies from the literature on the aberrant expression of these genes are examined and compared with the aid of tables. Conclusions suggest that, although some may initially appear promising, no oncogene, has thus far been found to have a definite prognostic value superior to conventional grading and staging.

The pathology of bladder cancer: an update on selected issues

“…The topic was extensively reviewed in three reports [22][23][24]. Two main fields are of urological importance, i.e.…”

“…The reader is referred to the reviews cited above [22][23][24] for an extensive bibliography. p53, Ki-67, MIBI labelling index, many growth factors, DNA ploidy, telomerase, and various of markers have been studied and found to be of some prognostic relevance.…”

A new method to help diagnose cancers for small sample size

“…However, attempts to use a single gene to model bladder cancer have not succeeded, because it does not always have sufficient genetic alterations. Simultaneously using several oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes was suggested to help enhance the diagnostic effectiveness of cancers (Gontero, Tizzani, Muir, Caldarera, & Macaluso, 2001).…”

Μελέτη Των Επιπέδων Έκφρασης Πεπτιδικών Αυξητικών Παραγόντων Και Των Γονιδίων P53 CYCLIN D1 Και TPL-2/COT Στην Υπερπλασία Και Τον Καρκίνο Του Προστάτη

“…Αρχικά εξαλείφεται το ένα αλληλόμορφο και στη συνέχεια απενεργοποιείται μέσω μεταλλάξεων ή υπερμεθυλίωσης και το δεύτερο [118]. Μέχρι στιγμής έχουν ταυτοποιηθεί 10 ογκοκατασταλτικά γονίδια, τα οποία παίζουν σημαντικό ρόλο σε όλες τις ανθρώπινες κακοήθειες, συμπεριλαμβανομένου και του καρκίνου του προστάτη και πιστεύεται ότι χρειάζεται να υποστούν γενετικές αλλοιώσεις έξι με επτά από αυτά ώστε να εμφανιστεί ο καρκινικός φαινότυπος [205].…”