Fas/FasL can induce cell apoptosis and maintain body homeostasis. As one transmembrane glycoprotein, it exerts important biological functions. C-myc is one important oncogene involving in progression of multiple tumors and is closely correlated with tumor proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis. This study thus investigated the expression level of Fas/FasL and c-myc in bladder cancer, to analyze its correlation with tumor immunity. A total of 40 bladder cancer patients were recruited.

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... e linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were employed to detect the expression of Fas, FasL and c-myc in both serum and bladder cancer tissues. In situ end labeling approach was used to determine the apoptotic rate of cancer and adjacent tissues along with infiltrated lymphocytes (TIL) in bladder mucus. The correlation between Fas/FasL and c-myc expression and TIL apoptotic rate were analyzed. Serum Fas in experimental group was lower than control group, with elevated FasL and c-myc (P<0.05). The expression of Fas in tumor tissues was lower than adjacent or control tissues, while FasL and c-myc levels were elevated (P<0.05). TIL apoptotic rate in bladder cancer tissues was higher than adjacent tissues (P<0.05). The expression of FasL and c-myc along with TIC apoptotic rate was higher in higher grade, multiple lesion, recurrent patients (P<0.05). FasL and TIL were positively correlated with TIL apoptotic rates, while Fas was negatively correlated (P<0.05). FasL was over-expressed while Fas was down-regulated in bladder cancer, facilitating apoptosis of lymphocytes. C-myc expression can up-regulate the immune escape latency of tumor cells.