Association between the expression pattern of p16, pRb and p53 and the response to intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin therapy in patients with urothelial carcinoma in situ of the urinary bladder.

There is limited data regarding the association between the expression of cell cycle-regulating molecules and the response of patients with urothelial carcinoma in situ (CIS) to bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy. To examine the relationship between p16, pRb and p53 expression in bladder CIS and patient response to initial BCG therapy, we performed immunohistochemical studies for 27 patients with bladder CIS. Overexpression of p16, pRb, and p53 was observed in 37%, 41%, and 48% of patients, respectively.