Free DNA in urine: a new marker for bladder cancer? Preliminary data.
The aim of the present preliminary study was to investigate the presence of free DNA (FDNA) in urine as a possible marker for the diagnosis of bladder cancer. Naturally voided morning urine specimens were collected from 57 patients with suspected bladder cancer before cystoscopy. A standard urine test was performed; the specimens were then processed in order to obtain a quantitative evaluation of the presence of free DNA in the urine. Twenty-two patients were excluded from the study because they had leukocyturia and/or bacteriuria. Free DNA concentrations higher than 250 ng/mL were found in all 16 patients showing bladder cancer at cystoscopy and in seven (36.8%) of the 19 patients with negative cystoscopy. Urinary FDNA seems to have an excellent sensitivity: we observed no false negative cases and 36.8% false positive cases. By contrast, only 6.25% of the bladder cancer patients had positive urine cytology. Our results seem promising, although further studies and larger numbers are needed to define urinary free DNA as a reliable marker of bladder cancer.
Zancan
M
M
ABO Association c/o Regional Center for the Study of Biological Markers of Malignancy, General Regional Hospital, Venice, Italy. matelda.zancan@ulss12.ve.it
Franceschini
R
R
Mimmo
C
C
Vianello
M
M
Di Tonno
F
F
Mazzariol
C
C
Malossini
G
G
Gion
M
M
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000652:urine*; D004247:DNA / Q000652:urine*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000652:urine*
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D004247:DNA