Objective: To study the correlation between telomerase and bladder cancer.
Methods: The telomerase activity was detected by telomerase PCR ELISA in 41 cases of bladder cancer tissues and 23 cases of non-cancerous bladder tissues.
Results: The telomerase activity was positive in 34 cases of bladder cancer tissues (82.9%) and 1 case of non-cancerous tissues (4.3%); the difference of positive rate was significant (P < 0.01).
Conclusions: Telomerase activity is related with bladder cancer closely; telomerase activation may be an important molecular step in the initiation and development of bladder cancer; telomerase may be an excellent molecular biomarker in finding bladder cancer at an early stage and in postoperative following-up.