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Telomerase activity in urine after transurethral resection of superficial bladder cancer and early recurrence
Author(s) -
Wu XiuXian,
Kakehi Yoshiyuki,
Takahashi Takeshi,
Habuchi Tomonori,
Ogawa Osamu
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
international journal of urology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.172
H-Index - 67
eISSN - 1442-2042
pISSN - 0919-8172
DOI - 10.1046/j.1442-2042.2000.00178.x
Subject(s) - telomerase , medicine , urine , urinary system , cystoscopy , urology , bladder cancer , cytology , cancer , urinary bladder , pathology , biology , biochemistry , gene
Background: To explore the relationship between telomerase activity in urine after transurethral resection (TUR) of superficial bladder cancer and early intravesical recurrence.Methods: Urine samples were obtained from 42 patients with superficial bladder cancers prior to TUR and on the postoperative day 1 and day 6. These patients were followed‐up prospectively by cystoscopy at 3 and 6 months after TUR in combination with urinary cytology and telomerase activity. Telomerase activity in the urine was assessed by the telomeric repeat amplification protocol assay.Results: Urinary telomerase activity prior to TUR was positive in 24 (57%) of the 42 patients. On the postoperative day 1 and day 6, positive urinary telomerase activity was seen in 13 (31%) and nine (21%) patients, respectively. Postoperative urinary telomerase activity on either day 1 or day 6 was significantly associated with pre‐operative urinary telomerase activity status ( P = 0.0024). Fifteen patients showed intravesical tumor recurrence at 3 months cystoscopic check‐up and an additional nine had recurred at the 6 months check‐up. Recurrence rate within 6 months in patients with pre‐operative positive urinary telomerase activity was similar to that in those with negative activity (58.3 vs 58.8%). However, recurrence rate at 3 months for patients with positive activity was higher than that of those with negative activity (50 vs 17.7%), in 23 patients treated only by TUR.Conclusions: Presence of cells positive for telomerase activity in urine after TUR of superficial bladder cancer indicates persistently existing cancer cells in the urine. It is, however, not a sole predictor of the early intravesical recurrence.