Loss of p16 gene in bladder cancer and genitourinary carcinoma cell lines

To determine whether p16, a novel antioncogene, is altered in human bladder cancer and urogenital carcinoma cell lines, we examined a series of 10 primary bladder cancer and 4 urogenital carcinoma cell lines (BIU-87, EJ, GRC and PC-3M) by southern blot. Two cases of 10 primary bladder cancer and EJ, BIU-87 PC-3M had homozygous deletion of p16, and 2 cases of 10 primary bladder cancer had loss of heterozygous. Loss of p16 may provide an additional growth advantage and carcinogenesis.