Raf1, Aurora-A/STK15 and E-cadherin biomarkers expression in patients with pTa/pT1 urothelial bladder carcinoma; a retrospective TMA study of 246 patients with long-term follow-up

Aims The study was designed to evaluate Raf1, Aurora-A/STK15 and E-cadherin (E-CD) protein expression and their prognostic value in patients with pTa/pT1 tumours. Materials and methods A tissue microarray of 105 pTa, and 141 pT1 tumours was constructed and sections were immunostained with these three antibodies. Results There were significant associations between Raf1 overexpression and tumour grade (p=0.03), between Aurora-A overexpression/alterations of E-CD and tumour grade and stage (p<0.001 and p<0.001). In multiple Cox regression analysis, moderate/strong expression of E-CD seemed to be an independent factor in predicting slower tumour progression (p=0.003) and Aurora-A overexpression (p=0.022) displays an independent value in predicting tumour recurrences. Conclusion Evaluation of E-CD and Aurora-A expressions in tissue of patients with pTa/pT1 UC have been proven to be useful in predicting tumours behavior and Raf1 protein expression seemed to have no potential use in this regard.