The main route of metastasis of bladder urothelial carcinoma (BUC) is through the lymph nodes; however, its exact mechanism remains unclear, as explained by researchers. A study found an association between nucleolar and spindle associated protein 1 (NUSAP1) expressions and BUC tissues, along with lymph node metastasis and survival prognosis. The findings were reported in Scientific Reports.

In this study, the investigators assessed 178 pathological specimens following radical bladder cancer resection. NUSAP1 expression was analyzed by immunohistochemistry, and the link between clinicopathological characteristics and NUSAP1 expression was explored. Logistic regression was used to discern the independent variables that influenced lymph node metastasis. To establish the prognostic value of NUSAP1 expression in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder, uni- and multi-factoral Cox regression approaches were used.

According to the results, a high expression of NUSAP1 in BUC was not significantly related to gender, age, or tumor number (p >.05); however, high expression was significantly associated with pathological grade, tumor diameter, pathological stage, and lymph node metastasis (p <.05). Moreover, lymph node metastasis was significantly correlated with pathological stage, pathological grade, tumor number, tumor diameter, and NUSAP1 expression (p <.05). NUSAP1 was the only independent predictor of lymph node metastasis in BUC (OR:1.786, 95% CI 1.229-2.596, p =.002). Higher expression showed a poorer prognosis of patients with BUC.

Keywords: Lymph node metastasis, NUSAP1 expression, Bladder urothelial carcinoma

Link: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9054847/