REG1A predicts recurrence in stage Ta/T1 bladder cancer

AimsStage Ta/T1 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (Ta/T1 BC) has a marked tendency to recur. Regenerating protein 1 A (REG1A) has been reported to be expressed in human cancers, and it may be positively correlated with patient's prognosis. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prognostic value of REG1A in Ta/T1 BC.MethodsImmunohistochemistry was done on 110 paraffin-embedded specimens of human Ta/T1 BC to detect the proteins REG1A, PCNA and MMP2. The relationships between REG1A expression and the clinical–pathological characteristics of Ta/T1 BC patients were evaluated.ResultsSixty-five out of 110 specimens were REG1A-positive. Grade and expression levels of MMP2 and REG1A were significantly correlated with the recurrence rate. REG1A expression (Hazard ratio: 3.1; 95% CI: 1.1–8.5; P = 0.030) was an independent predictor of recurrence rate in multivariate Cox regression analysis. A significant association between REG1A expression and MMP2 expression (P = 0.023) was also observed.ConclusionExpression of REG1A is an independent predictor of recurrence in Ta/T1 BC.