Evaluation of androgen receptor and HER2/neu receptor in tumor tissue of transitional cell carcinoma of urinary bladder and normal bladder mucosa

Abstract

Background: Transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) is the most prevalent, singly accounting for 90% of all bladder cancer cases. Various markers involved in cell cycle but none of them proven its capacity as a prognostic indicator. The discovery of new biological markers may lead to early clinical prediction and may help in individualization of therapeutic approach in management of bladder cancer patients. The human epidermal growth factor receptors (EGFRs) – HER2/neu play a role in neoplastic cell growth and its role proven in breast and ovarian cancer while its role in bladder cancer still not explored its potential. Bladder cancer incidence is higher in male as compared to female. This gender related difference is still not clear in humans while it is proven in animal studies. In this study, we investigated the potential role and association of HER2/neu and androgen receptors (ARs) in etiology and prognosis of TCC. Patients and Methods: The study included 20 histopathologically confirmed cases of TCC of urinary bladder attending the Department of General Surgery, KGMU, Lucknow and 20 healthy individuals were taken as control. Immunohistochemical analysis for AR and HER2/neu receptor was done using paraffin-embedded tissue blocks treated with monoclonal mouse anti-human antibodies against AR and HER2/neu receptor, respectively. Results: HER2/neu over expression was observed in 14 (73%) of which 12 were males and 2 were females. Among these 16.7%, 33.3%, and 37.5% cases were in Grade I, II, and III, respectively. The AR overexpression was observed in 4 (20%) of which all were males. About 16.7% and 27.3% cases were in Grade II and III, respectively. Peak incidence was observed in the age group of 50–70 years (75%). Conclusions: We conclude that HER2/neu and AR can be considered as bad prognostic factor in TCC. These results suggested that targeting AR and HER2/neu may provide novel chemopreventive and therapeutic approaches for the management of bladder cancer.