Bladder cancer biomarkers: current developments and future implementation.
OBJECTIVE
Bladder cancer biomarker development has advanced significantly over the last decade, but has not yet been able to make a significant impact in the diagnosis and management of the disease. Many available markers are suitable, but do not meet the expectations of physicians and patients. Patients do not want to compromise accuracy in diagnosing bladder cancer for less-invasive tests. The review highlights the latest developments in bladder cancer biomarkers, including markers developed over the last year, and comments on the high standards placed on these markers which have delayed their widespread implementation into the urologic field.


RESULTS
New markers described in the last year include soluble Fas, urothelial carcinoma-associated 1 and human chorionic gonadotropin beta type II genes. The latter two markers represent the contribution of genomic technology to this field. Also described are updates to known markers, including long-term follow-up of hematuria screening, recent studies in DNA methylation for bladder cancer diagnosis and patient perspectives on bladder tumor markers.


CONCLUSIONS
Biomarkers for bladder cancer have been intensively scrutinized over the last decade, but despite new findings and good performance characteristics, they are currently not accepted in clinical practice.
Alvarez
Alonso
A
Department of Urology, Sylvester Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, Florida 33101, USA.
Lokeshwar
Vinata B
VB
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis*; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen / Q000032:analysis; D017242:Complement Factor H / Q000032:analysis; D019175:DNA Methylation; D004252:DNA Mutational Analysis; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm / Q000032:analysis; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein / Q000032:analysis; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D023281:Genomics; D006417:Hematuria / Q000209:etiology; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid / Q000032:analysis; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D007633:Keratins / Q000032:analysis; D018895:Microsatellite Repeats; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D025202:Molecular Diagnostic Techniques / Q000639:trends*; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D009687:Nuclear Proteins / Q000032:analysis; D018579:Patient Selection; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D040901:Proteomics; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D000077022:Survivin; D019098:Telomerase / Q000032:analysis; D014157:Transcription Factors / Q000032:analysis; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000737:chemistry / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000628:therapy; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / Q000032:analysis
D000951:Antigens, Neoplasm; C107489:BIRC5 protein, human; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C493495:CFH protein, human; D002272:Carcinoembryonic Antigen; D004273:DNA, Neoplasm; D053222:Fas Ligand Protein; D051034:Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins; D008869:Microtubule-Associated Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins; D009687:Nuclear Proteins; D011933:Reagent Kits, Diagnostic; D000077022:Survivin; D014157:Transcription Factors; C100379:nuclear matrix protein 22; D007633:Keratins; D017242:Complement Factor H; D006820:Hyaluronic Acid; D051548:Histone Acetyltransferases; D019098:Telomerase; C115866:OGA protein, human; D006821:Hyaluronoglucosaminidase; D001619:beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases