Background/aim: The pathological significance of thrombospondin (TSP)-1 and -2 in bladder cancer (BC) is well-known whereas that of TSP-3, 4 and 5 remains unclear. Our aim is to clarify the pathological significance and prognostic roles of TSP-3 to 5 expression in BC patients.
Patients and methods: TSP-3 to 5 expression, proliferation index (PI), apoptotic index (AI) and microvessel density (MVD) were evaluated in 206 BC patients by immunohistochemical techniques.
Results: TSP-5 expression was positively associated with grade, T stage, metastasis, and worse prognosis. PI in TSP-5-positive tissues was significantly higher compared to negative tissues. In contrast, AI in TSP-5-positive tissues was significantly lower compared to negative tissues. Expressions of TSP-3 and 4 were not associated with any clinicopathological features, survival, PI, or AI.
Conclusion: TSP-5 plays important roles in malignant behavior via cell survival regulation whereas the pathological significance of TSP-3 and TSP-4 in BC might be minimal.
Keywords: TSPs; apoptosis; bladder cancer; cell proliferation; pathological features; survival.
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