TROP2 Expression in Bladder Transurethral Resection Specimens: Correlation With Histological Grade and Survival
TROP2 inversely correlates with histological grade in bladder TURBT specimens (AUC = 0.736) and may guide pathologists in diagnostically challenging cases – limited tissue, cautery artifact, or incomplete resection where a low H‑score suggests high‑grade disease. TROP2 may complement WHO/ISUP grading and serve as a candidate predictive biomarker for TROP2‑targeted ADC therapies.
TROP2 expression was evaluated by immunohistochemistry in 79 bladder TURBT specimens. A significant inverse correlation was found between TROP2 H‑score and histological grade (rho = −0.410, p = 0.0003; median H‑score 200.0 in low‑grade vs. 150.0 in high‑grade tumors). Receiver operating characteristic analysis gave an area under the curve of 0.736 for grade prediction, with an optimal cut‑off of 200 (sensitivity 92.3 %, specificity 45.0 %). No significant association was observed between TROP2 and pT stage, lymphovascular invasion, carcinoma in situ, recurrence, disease‑free survival, or overall survival. The findings suggest that TROP2 may serve as a predictive biomarker to complement WHO/ISUP grading and support eligibility for TROP2‑directed antibody‑drug conjugate therapy in urothelial carcinoma.
Accurate grading of urothelial carcinoma is critical for therapeutic decision‑making. Identifying a reliable IHC marker that correlates with grade could improve diagnostic consistency, particularly in challenging specimens, and help identify patients who may benefit from TROP2‑targeted antibody‑drug conjugates such as sacituzumab govitecan.
Evidence level: Sejtvonalas. Laboratóriumi sejtekben vizsgálták.