Korean J Urol.  2008 Jan;49(1):12-17.

The Expression and Clinical Significance of the Minichromosome Maintenance (MCM) 7 Proliferation Markers in Urothelial Carcinomas of the Bladder

• Maeng YH
• Kang HW
• Huh JS

Abstract

PURPOSE: The antibodies for minichromosome maintenance(MCM) proteins have been reported as potential proliferative markers and prognostic indicators in various human malignancies. The present study examined the expression pattern of MCM proteins in bladder carcinomas, and we also evaluated their prognostic significance as well as their potential applicability as proliferation markers.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Immunohistochemistry for MCM7 and Ki-67 was performed on paraffin sections from 47 cases of bladder carcinoma. The MCM7 and Ki-67 expressions were quantified and then analysis was carried out for determining the association between the expressions of MCM7 and Ki-67 and the clinicopathological parameters.
RESULTS
A significant correlation existed between the expression rate of MCM7 and the histological grade(p<0.0001). The Ki-67 expression rate was significantly related to the tumor grade(p=0.002) and the pathological stage(p=0.011). On multivariate analysis, MCM7 was not found to be an independent prognostic factor for predicting the recurrence of bladder carcinoma.
CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that MCM is a reliable proliferation marker, but not an independent predictive factor for recurrence of bladder carcinoma.

Keyword

Transitional cell carcinoma; MCM7 protein; Ki-67

MeSH Terms

Antibodies
Carcinoma, Transitional Cell
Humans
Immunohistochemistry
Multivariate Analysis
Paraffin
Proteins
Recurrence
Urinary Bladder
Antibodies
Paraffin
Proteins

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Immunoreactivity for minichromosome maintenance (MCM7) in low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (Expression group a, ×200).

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  Fig. 2 Immunoreactivity for minichromosome maintenance (MCM7) in high-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma (Expression group e, ×200).

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