Urinary Nuclear Matrix Protein ( NMP 22 ) in the Detection of Transitional Cell Carcinoma of the Bladder

Ryu, Soo Bang; Oh, Bong Ryoul; Suh, Soon Pal; Kwon, Dong Deuk; Ryu, Je Woong; Park, Yang Il

Abstract

PURPOSE
The detection of bladder cancers by noninvasive techniques remains an unsolved problem. We evaluate the availability of an immunoassay for urinary nuclear matrix protein, NMP 22, as an indicator for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Three groups of subjects participated in this trial of NMP 22: 22 patients with transitional cell carcinoma (group 1), 12 patients with urinary tract infection (group 2) and 31 healthy volunteers (group 3). NMP 22 was determined by ELISA using a commercial test kit (NMP 22 Test Kit, Matritech Inc., USA), We compared urinary NMP 22 levels to the grade, stage, cytology and DNA flowcytometry of transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.
RESULTS
NMP 22 values in these 3 groups were significantly different (group 1, median 24.81 U/mL; group 2, median 8.41 U/mL; and group 3, median 5.12 U/mL; Mann-Whitney U test for differences between 3 medians, p < 0.05). The patients with transitional cell carcinoma had significantly greater urinary NMP 22 levels than those with no evidence of tumor (Mann-Whitney U test for differences between 2 medians, p<0.01). There was no zelationship between the urinary NMP 22 levels and tumor grade, stage, cytology or DNA flowcytometry.
CONCLUSIONS
It is possible that urinary NMP 22 could improve the detection of bladder transitional cell carcinoma.