Cyclin-dependent kinase-associated protein Cks2 is associated with bladder cancer progression.

In this observational retrospective study, expression of possible cancer-related genes was measured in patients with a pathological diagnosis of superficial bladder cancer. Further measurements were made in those who subsequently developed muscle-invasive cancer. Seven of the 45 patients with superficial bladder cancer progressed to muscle-invasive cancer. Expression of fatty acid binding protein 5 (FABP5), poly(A) binding protein cytoplasmic 1 (PABPC1), DEAD box polypeptide 5 (DDX5), splicing factor 3b subunit 1 (SF3B1), murine mammary tumour integration site 6 (EIF3S6), tropomyosin 2β (TPM2), transgelin (TAGLN) and cyclin-dependent kinase-associated protein (Cks2) genes was measured in bladder samples using real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. FABP5, PABPC1, DDX5, SF3B1, EIF3S6 and Cks2 expression levels were significantly increased, and TPM2 and TAGLN were significantly decreased, in superficial bladder cancer compared with normal bladder tissue. In patients who developed muscle-invasive cancer, the Cks2 gene showed significantly increased expression after, compared with before, invasion. The Cks2 gene may have potential as a biomarker for predicting superficial bladder cancer progression to muscle-invasive cancer.