Aim: The aim of this study was to establish the expression and the significance of angiogenic markers in T1 bladder cancer with concomitant carcinoma “in situ”. Introduction: It has been determined that overexpression of hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1alfa), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor receptor1 (VEGFR1) correlates with tumor grade, disease progression and recurrence, as well as poor overall survival. Carcinoma in situ (CIS) is frequently seen in conjunction with bladder tumors and represents an additional obstacle for management of T1 bladder cancer patients. Material and Methods: The immunohistochemical expressions of HIF-1alfa, VEGF, and VEGFR1 were evaluated in 295 T1 bladder cancer samples, incorporated in tissue microarrays. HIF1-alpha was assessed through nuclear staining, while the angiogenic profile was estimated through cytoplasmatic positivity of the VEGF and VEGFR1. Microvessels were identified by immunostaining of endothelial cells for CD34 and microvessel density (MVD) was presented as the average number of counted microvesels. Results: After a mean followup of 53 months, we found that T1 bladder cancer patients, who had concomitant carcinoma in situ had worse overall survival (p<0.05), furthermore, those tumor samples less expressed HIF-1alfa (p<0.05), and VEGFR1 (p<0.05). Expression of VEGF, VEGFR1, HIF-1alfa, as well as MVD, did not have significant impact to survival rate and further outcome. Conclusion: Worse overall survival and decreased expression for angiogenic markers in samples with accompanying CIS were established. Estimation of HIF-1alfa and VEGFR1 expression emerged as potential diagnostic supplement, selecting the T1 bladder cancer patients that could require an intensive follow-up.

Aim: The aim of this research is to analyze the profile of Ezh2 expression in superficial urothelial bladder cancer, to investigate its correlation with clinicopathological parameters, as well as to determine the prognostic significance of Ezh2. Introduction: Superficial urothelial bladder cancer, without invasion of muscle layer, is associated with frequent recurrence, and represents significant burden for health care system. Ezh2 is epigenetic regulator with a major role in urothelial oncogenesis. Clinical investigations of Ezh2 inhibitors in treatment of solid cancers have already given encouraging results. Materials and Methods: Tumor samples from 410 patients with superficial bladder cancer (172 pTa, 238 pT1), obtained by transurethral resection, were incorporated in tissue microarrays, and analyzed immunohistochemically to Ezh2 expression. Correlation analysis with clinicopathological parameters was performed using SPSS 18.0. Results: High nuclear expression was found in 33.4% tumors, and it was significantly more frequent in pT1 (46.6%), compared to pTa tumors (15.1%) (p<0.001). Ezh2 expression was associated with high histologic grade, presence of carcinoma in situ, and cancer specific death (p<0.001, respectively). In Kaplan-Mayer survival analysis high Ezh2 expression was significantly associated with poor prognosis and shorter patients survival (p<0.001). There was no significant correlation between Ezh2 and recurrence of the disease, and recurrence free interval (p<0.05). Conclusion: Immunohistochemical expression of transcription repressor Ezh2 in superficial urothelial bladder cancer indicates aggressive behavior of the tumor, and poor prognosis. Ezh2 could be used as pronostic marker in selection of the patients that might require more intense clinical treatment, and as potential target of anticancer therapy.