Bladder Cancer Cell Receptor Detectable in Urine and Prostatic Fluid

A new cell receptor was found on cancerous cells in patients suffering from bladder cancer. When the receptor sloughs off the cancer cells, it can be found in urine and prostatic fluid (in men). The first of its kind, the cell receptor offers great potential as a non-invasive, easy-to-make dipstick or rapid urine test that could transform the screening and diagnosis process for bladder cancer

The receptor was discovered by scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina for Research and Development (MUSC; Charleston, SC, USA). Current tests for bladder cancer are accurate for only 40% of diagnoses. MUSC's new test has demonstrated 90% accuracy (100% specificity) in human urine samples of patients with various degrees of bladder cancer, confirming the newly discovered cell receptor's efficacy in diagnosing that cancer.

Patients undergo bladder cancer screening if they are determined to have certain risk factors including a previous diagnosis of bladder cancer, birth defects of the bladder, advanced age (over 55), or work-related exposure to certain chemicals. Bladder cancer affects men more than women, as well as whites more than other ethnicities, according to the American Cancer Society. The organization estimates that of the approximately 69,000 new bladder cancer cases in the United States this year, almost 52,000 will be in men.

Current studies report that patients with successfully treated bladder cancer still have a 50-80% recurrence rate, making this potential urine-based test perfect for home cancer recurrence monitoring. For the methods most routinely used to detect or monitor bladder cancer, convenience, comfort, and pain are issues important to patients. The new diagnostic test from MUSC could eliminate the need for invasive tests such as cystoscopy and biopsies that can be painful and even cause medical complications.


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Medical University of South Carolina for Research and Development