CD10 expression in urothelial bladder carcinomas: staining patterns and relationship with pathologic parameters*

Aim: CD10 is a cell surface metalloprotease that inactivates various bioactive neuropeptides. CD10 has been suggested as a useful prognostic marker for urothelial carcinoma, but there are only a few studies of CD10 in urothelial tumors and they have shown varying results. The aims of this study were to investigate the expression of CD10 in urothelial bladder carcinomas and to clarify its association with pathologic parameters. Materials and methods: A total of 50 urothelial bladder carcinomas were selected from archival material. All cases were reevaluated histopathologically and graded according to the WHO/ISUP 1998 classification. The TNM system was used for their pathological staging. CD 10 immunohistochemical staining was performed on one representative tissue block for each case. Results: 35 of the 50 (70%) tumors showed positive CD10 immunostaining. We found a statistically significant difference in terms of CD10 extent between low grade and high grade tumors. No association was detected between CD10 expression and other pathologic parameters. No relationship was found between CD10 expression and tumor size, lymphovascular invasion, or pathological stage. Conclusion: According to our findings, high grade carcinomas showed a wider CD10 expression than that in low grade carcinomas. CD10 may play an important role in the progression and differentiation of bladder urothelial carcinomas.