Exploring the Role of BK Polyomavirus and SV40 T Antigen in Urothelial Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Abstract

Background: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) of the bladder is the 7th most common malignancy. BK Virus (BKV) has been associated with oncogenicity; however, the association between Urothelial Carcinoma and BKV remains inconclusive. Objectives: To investigate whether BK polyomavirus contributes to oncogenesis in immunocompetent hosts and clarify the prognostic significance of SV40 T antigen expression on human bladder cancer by SV40 T-antigen immunostaining. To evaluate the immunohistochemical expression of p53 nuclear reactivity using anti-p53 monoclonal antibodies in urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder and to correlate the immunohistochemical expression with other clinicopathological parameters such as age, gender and tumor grade. Materials and methods: Sixty-six cystoscopic biopsies of Urothelial Carcinoma (UC) were immunohistochemically stained by antibody against SV40 T-antigen and anti- p53. Results: 45.5% of the tumors were high grade. Muscle invasion was seen in 45.5% of the tumors. SV40 T antigen was not detected in all samples. p53 was expressed in 27.3 % of tumors. p53 expression was significantly correlated with tumor grade and muscle invasion. Tumor recurrence was significantly associated with p53 expression and tumor grade. Conclusion: BKV has no causal relation with UC in immunocompetent patients. p53 expression is a poor prognostic factor for UC. It showed a significant statistical. correlation with higher tumor grade, muscle invasion, and higher recurrence rate.