BACKGROUND: Tumor grade and stage are currently the most important prognostic variables in bladder cancer but establishing additional criteria is still needed for effective treatment. In this study, we analyzed DNA ploidy and the cell cycle: gap one stage (GO/1), synthesis stage (S-phase%), and gap two stage (G2/M) in urine and blood cells of bilharzial bladder cancer patients. METHODS: The cell cycle and DNA ploidy were investigated using a flow cytometric technique for 150 bilharzial bladder cancer patients and 60 healthy normal controls. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that GO/1 levels were significantly decreased in urine and blood cells of bladder cancer patients compared to controls and these decreases were significant in urine cells compared to blood cells and at high grade and stage. In contrast, S-phase%, G2/M, coefficient variation (CV), and DNA index (DI) levels were increased in urine and blood cells of patients compared to those of controls. These levels were significantly increased in urine patients compared to their blood. Finally, the undetectable DNA aneuploidy in control cells was significantly increased in urine cells of patients compared to their blood cells at higher grade and stage. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the cell cycle and DNA aneuploidy analysis especially in urine cells of bilharzial bladder cancer patients may help in diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical treatment and can be considered as an additional marker for bladder cancer.
BACKGROUND: Tumor grade and stage are currently the most important prognostic variables in bladder cancer but establishing additional criteria is still needed for effective treatment. In this study, we analyzed DNA ploidy and the cell cycle: gap one stage (GO/1), synthesis stage (S-phase%), and gap two stage (G2/M) in urine and blood cells of bilharzial bladder cancerpatients. METHODS: The cell cycle and DNA ploidy were investigated using a flow cytometric technique for 150 bilharzial bladder cancerpatients and 60 healthy normal controls. RESULTS: This study demonstrated that GO/1 levels were significantly decreased in urine and blood cells of bladder cancerpatients compared to controls and these decreases were significant in urine cells compared to blood cells and at high grade and stage. In contrast, S-phase%, G2/M, coefficient variation (CV), and DNA index (DI) levels were increased in urine and blood cells of patients compared to those of controls. These levels were significantly increased in urine patients compared to their blood. Finally, the undetectable DNA aneuploidy in control cells was significantly increased in urine cells of patients compared to their blood cells at higher grade and stage. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, the cell cycle and DNA aneuploidy analysis especially in urine cells of bilharzial bladder cancerpatients may help in diagnosis, prognosis, and clinical treatment and can be considered as an additional marker for bladder cancer.