Abstract
Background: The expression of p27(Kip1) has been shown to be associated with the development of various malignancies. The aim of this study was to analyze the clinical significance of expression in Saudi bladder cancer patients. Methods: Analysis of p27 expression was performed by immunohistochemistry using tissue microarray of bladder cancer specimens. Correlation analysis between p27 expression and patients' clinical parameters was undertaken. Results: 50% of patients showed positive nuclear expression of p27 protein. Interestingly, loss of p27 expression correlated significantly with increased tumor grade (P = 0.001) and muscle invasion (P = 0.014). Patients with reduced p27 expression had trend toward poorer survival (P = 0.07, log-rank test). Conclusion: This is the first study describing the expression of p27 in bladder cancer patients of Arab origin and indicating that p27 plays an important role in bladder carcinogenesis. p27 might help in the stratification and the management of bladder cancer patients.