Hilmy M et al. (2005) The relationship between the systemic inflammatory response and survival in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder. Br J Cancer 92: 625–627
Evidence is mounting about the role of the systemic inflammatory response in cancer progression. A recent study published in the British Journal of Cancer explores its relationship with survival in 105 patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder.
C-reactive protein levels were determined in all patients before and/or after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor; elevated circulating concentrations of C-reactive protein (>10 mg/l) indicated a systemic inflammatory response. During the follow-up period, both preoperative and postoperative elevated C-reactive protein concentrations were significantly associated with overall survival, as were tumor stage and grade. A multivariate analysis of the 59 patients who had C-reactive protein levels measured preoperatively showed that elevated C-reactive protein was independently associated with cancer-specific survival (hazard ratio 3.31, 95% CI 1.09–10.09).
In summary, this study showed that the systemic inflammatory response, as indicated by elevated levels of C-reactive protein, predicted cancer-specific survival independently of tumor stage or grade. The authors discuss possible mechanisms by which this effect might be mediated and call for further studies in this area.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Systemic inflammatory response is a prognostic factor in bladder cancer. Nat Rev Urol 2, 154 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0142
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncpuro0142