Deletions of p15 and p16 in schistosomal bladder cancer correlate with transforming growth factor-alpha expression.

Objectives: Cell proliferation is stimulated by growth factors and inhibited by p15 and p16 gene products. We compared cell regulators, TGF-alpha, p15, and p16, in schistosomal and non-schistosomal bladder cancer to explore possible differences in their alterations between the two subtypes and their correlations with proliferation pattern [synthetic phase fraction (SPF)], DNA ploidy, and clinicopathological factors.

Methods: Tumor tissue samples were obtained from 120 patients.