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This study demonstrates that triptorelin pamoate 11.25 mg administered by the subcutaneous route every 3 months is as efficacious and well tolerated as administration via the intramuscular route in men with locally advanced or metastatic prostate cancer.

RESULTSTelomerase activity was positive in 15 of the 29 bladder carcinomas (52%) and negative for the three normal bladder samples. hTERT was detected and quantified in all tumour samples, with major differences in hTERT values. None of the three normal bladder samples had quantifiable hTERT mRNA, giving complete sensitivity and specificity for the method in diagnosing bladder carcinoma.Comparing the results of RT-PCR and TRAP assay showed a significant association between the enzyme activity and levels of hTERT mRNA expression, with only five discordant cases, most of them being TRAPnegative and hTERT-positive. Among these cases the in situ results of telomerase activity were concordant with hTERT mRNA levels by RT-PCR and not with TRAP assay results, as nuclear fluorescence of malignant epithelial cells. The semiquantitative evaluation of positive cell numbers showed a heterogeneity of telomerase activity within the tumour tissue. There was a significant correlation between RT-PCR and histopathological variables (grade and stage), and a significant correlation between TRAP assay results and histopathological grade. CONCLUSIONDetecting hTERT mRNA by RT-PCR seems to be a promising method, with a much better sensitivity than the TRAP assay in diagnosing bladder carcinomas, and a better correlation with histopathological variables. Falsenegative cases on the TRAP assay are explained by the heterogeneity of telomerase activity within tumour cells. Thus evaluating hTERT gene expression levels could be used as a marker of malignant progression, useful in the early diagnosis and follow-up of bladder carcinomas.

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