HLA-G expression in transitional bladder carcinoma. Relationship with tumor invasion level and patient survival: Experience in a public hospital in Argentina

Abstract

Transitional carcinoma (TC) is the most common neoplasm of the bladder (80%). The immune checkpoint (IC) Human leukocyte antigen G (HLA-G) expression has been demonstrated within numerous types of cancer and correlates with the degree of malignancy. This study aims for HLA-G expression in the bladder TC in a public hospital in Argentina linking its malignancy grade with the survival of the patients. We study thirty TC samples, in which we determine the invasion level and the HLA-G expression by immunohistochemistry. From all analyzed cases, 23 correspond to high-grade TC, of whom 91% presented HLA-G immunostaining and 83% compromised the muscularis propria layer of the bladder. Four patients in this group have not exceeded 5 years of survival. This data confirms that HLA-G expression in the bladder TC is associated with greater aggressiveness. Therefore, adding this immunostaining to the immunohistochemical panel used in the routine diagnosis of this neoplasm would be very useful.