The expression of urokinase-type plasminogen activator system in upper tract urothelial carcinoma and its prognostic value after radical nephroureterectomy.

Background: To evaluate the expression pattern and prognostic role of the urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) system in patients who underwent radical nephroureterectomy (RNU) for nonmetastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC).

Methods: A total of 732 patients who were treated with RNU for clinically nonmetastatic UTUC comprised our analytical cohort. Immunohistochemical staining of uPA, uPA receptor (uPAR) and uPA inhibitor (PAI-1) was performed using Murine IgG1 monoclonal antibodies.