Matrix Metalloproteinase Expression in the Recurrence of Superficial Low Grade Bladder Transitional Cell Carcinoma

Purpose: Superficial bladder transitional cell carcinoma has a high recurrence rate following endoscopic resection. Most parameters used to predict recurrence are associated with high grade transitional cell carcinoma. However, there are few valid parameters for predicting low grade transitional cell carcinoma recurrence. We elucidated the prime factor in recurrent superficial low grade bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Materials and Methods: A total of 40 cases of superficial low grade bladder transitional cell carcinoma were analyzed, including 20 recurrent and 20 nonrecurrent cases. Fresh frozen tumor and normal tissues were used. Real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction and Western blots were performed subsequently to evaluate the validity of molecules identified by 0.12K cDNA array composed of matrix metalloproteinase, oncogenes and cell cycle related genes. Results: On cDNA microarray analysis matrix metalloproteinase-1, 2, 9, 12 and 15, transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor and fos were found to be significantly up-regulated in recurrent cases. On real-time reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction to validate those molecules matrix metalloproteinase-1 and 12, transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor and fos were significantly over expressed in recurrent cases. Western blot showed significant over expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and 12, transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor and fos in recurrent cases. Conclusions: Over expression of matrix metalloproteinase-1 and 12, transforming growth factor-β1, vascular endothelial growth factor and fos may be associated with the recurrence of superficial low grade bladder transitional cell carcinoma.