[Association of uPA and uPAR expression with invasive behaviors of urinary transitional cell carcinoma].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE: Urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA)/its receptor (uPAR), serine protease system, plays a key role in the degradation of extracellular matrix and basement membranes, and intensifying the tumor invasion. The study was designed to investigate the expression of uPA and uPAR in urinary transitional cell carcinoma. The correlation between their expression and tumor invasion was evaluated.

METHODS: The expression and localization of uPA and uPAR were examined among 50 cases of renal pelvic and ureter carcinoma and 40 cases of bladder cancer using the PicTure(TM) current type of immunohistochemical two-step method.

RESULTS: The normal pelvic, ureter, and bladder did not express uPA and uPAR. The positive expression of uPA and uPAR were concentrated in tumor tissues compared with that in the adjacent tissues. The positive rates of uPA and uPAR expressed the tissues were 33.33% and 50.00% in G1 grade; 88.47% and 96.15% in G3 grade; 37.50% and 50.00% in Ta-T1 tissues; 100.0% and 100.0% in T4 tissues, respectively. The positive rates of uPA and uPAR expression in tumor tissues with higher grade and stage were obviously increased (P< 0.05); meanwhile, there were close correlation between uPA and uPAR (rs=0.979).

CONCLUSION: The co-expression of uPA and uPAR was one of the characteristics of urinary transitional cell carcinoma and significantly correlated with tumor stage and grade.