Analysis of hTERT expression in exfoliated cells from patients with bladder transitional cell carcinomas using SYBR green real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR

Abstract

Aims: To investigate whether hTERT mRNA expression could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic marker of bladder transitional cell carcinoma. Methods: SYBR green I real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to quantify hTERT mRNA expression in exfoliated cells from patients with bladder transitional cell carcinomas. Results: A significant correlation was observed between the level of hTERT mRNA expression in exfoliated cells collected in urine with pathological grade and clinical stage. Conclusions: Our results show that SYBR green real-time fluorescence quantitative evaluation of hTERT mRNA could be a useful marker of tumor progression for the early diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancers.