Experiment of Vasculogenic Mimicry in Transitional Cell Carcinoma of Bladder

ObjectiveTo search whether vasculogenic mimicry(VM) exists in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder(TCCB), and to explore the important biological significances of VM in TCCB. Methods85 TCCB specimens were collected and were stained with CD31, periodic acid schiff(PAS) and CK7, to observe that whether VM exists in this tumor or not. The cinical significance of VM in TCCB was assessed. ResultsPAS-positive pattern of VM were found in 8 TCCB specimens among 85 TCCB specimens. The 8 specimens belong to Ⅱ～Ⅲ grade and T2～T4 stage, 6 of them with lymphatic metastasis. VM correlated with clinic stage, histological grading and lymphatic metastasis (P<0.01). ConclusionOur results suggest that VM exists in some moderately /poorly differentiated TCCB; VM and EphA2 will be some good markers to monitor the malignant degree and some novel targets for therapeutic intervention against TCCB.