Apoptosis and expression of P16 gene in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder and their correlation

OBJECTIVE To explore the effects and correlation of apoptosis and expression of P16 gene in the occurrence and progression of bladder transitional cell carcinoma. METHODS The apoptosis and expression of P16 gene were detected in 42 cases of bladder transitional cell carcinoma and 10 cases of normal mucosa of bladder by TdT mediated dUTP biotin nick and labeling and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS Apoptosis widely existed in the normal mucosa of bladder and bladder transitional cell carcinoma. There was a significant difference between the count of the normal mucosa of bladder and the bladder transitional cell carcinoma. The count of apoptosis decreased with the degree of malignancy of bladder transitional cell carcinoma and the positive rate of P16 gene decreased with the degree of malignancy of bladder transitional cell carcinoma. There was a significant difference in the expression of apoptosis between the positive and negative group for P16. CONCLUSION The apoptosis and the expression of P16 were closely associated with the biological behavior and the P16 gene could promote the apoptosis.