P16, c-erbB2 and Ki67 immunoexpression in urothelial carcinomas of the bladder.

The study included a total of 28 cases of urothelial carcinomas, which were analyzed histopathologically and immunohistochemically using anti-human p16, c-erbB2 and Ki67 antibodies and the LSAB/HRP work system. Histopathological analysis revealed the presence of urothelial carcinomas with different degrees of differentiation and invasion in the lamina propria or muscularis propria. The immunostain for p16, c-erbB2 and Ki67 was present at the nuclear and cytoplasmic level, respectively at membrane and nuclear level. Immunoreactions had quantified values, which were statistically correlated with the degree of differentiation in case of c-erbB2 or depth of invasion for p16. Tumor activity status and the risk of progression of bladder urothelial carcinomas can be assessed objectively using the antibody panel consisting of p16, c-erbB2 and Ki67.