Analysis of loss of heterozygosity of 20q11-13 region in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is one of the most common solid epithelial cancers and is the thirth most common cancer among men in Turkey. It has heterogeneous histopathology and growth properties. It has been suggested that multiple patways, all in including multistep genetic alterations are involved in the development of bladder tumors. Molecular pathology of bladder cancers has shown considerable heterogenecity, including loss of heterozygosity (LOH) and deletions in many chromosomes. Aim of present study was to identify the loss of heterozygosity of 20q11-13 and to compare with the tumor grades and stages. 9 polymorphic microsatellite markers in 33 matched bladder normal and tumor tissues were used to identify the loss of heterozygosity of 20q11-13. LOH in 17 of 33 patients (51,5%) at least in one loci was determined. The highest frequency of LOH was found on D20S872 (30%) loci. The lowest frequency of LOH was on D20S465 (5%) loci and LOH on D20S443 loci was not detected. Also no statistically siginificant association between tumor grades and stages and LOH frequency (p>0,05) were found. Key Words: Bladder cancer, Chromosome 20, Loss of Heterozygosity.