Expression of caveolin-1 and caveolin-2 in urothelial carcinoma of the urinary bladder correlates with tumor grade and squamous differentiation

Am J Clin Pathol. 2003 Jul;120(1):93-100. doi: 10.1309/292N-HAYN-WAVR-EJ37.

Abstract

We immunohistochemically evaluated 94 cases of urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the urinary bladder for the expression of caveolin (Cav)-1 and Cav-2. Neither benign urothelium present in 22 cases nor flat carcinoma in situ present in 10 cases stained for Cav-1 or Cav-2. Thirty-five (37%) of 94 cases and 45 (51%) of 89 cases of UC stained positively for Cav-1 and Cav-2, respectively. The percentages of positive cases for Cav-1 in grades 1, 2, and 3 tumors were 0% (0/6), 0% (0/25), and 56% (35/63), respectively (P < .001), and for Cav-2, 0% (0/6), 13% (3/23), and 70% (42/60), respectively (P < .001). Multivariate analysis showed no significant correlation between tumor stage and Cav-1 or Cav-2 expression after correction for tumor grade. Eighty-two percent (14/17) of cases with squamous differentiation were positive for Cav-1 compared with 43% (20/46) of grade 3 tumors without squamous differentiation (P < .001). These results indicate a positive correlation of the expression of Cav-1 and Cav-2 with tumor grade and squamous features of UC and suggest that Cav-1 and Cav-2 be studied further for a possible role in tumor progression and squamous differentiation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / metabolism
  • Carcinoma in Situ / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / metabolism*
  • Carcinoma, Transitional Cell / pathology
  • Caveolin 1
  • Caveolin 2
  • Caveolins / metabolism*
  • Cell Transformation, Neoplastic
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / metabolism*
  • Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / pathology
  • Urothelium / metabolism
  • Urothelium / pathology

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • CAV1 protein, human
  • Caveolin 1
  • Caveolin 2
  • Caveolins