Comparing urine levels of BLCA-4 nuclear matrix protein in patients with bladder cancer and non-bladder cancer

Int J Physiol Pathophysiol Pharmacol. 2019 Dec 15;11(6):289-292. eCollection 2019.

Abstract

Background: The molecular mechanism of bladder cancer is yet not fully understood. Aim of this study was to compare the levels of BLCA-4 nuclear matrix protein in the urine of patients with bladder cancer and non-affected individuals.

Materials and method: The current cross sectional study was conducted on 45 patients with bladder cancer and 45 patients without bladder cancer who were referred to Alzahra Hospital of Isfahan, Iran in 2017. BCLA-4 Urinary Marker was measured in urine of the patients and individuals. Also correlation between the urine levels of BCLA-4 and other variables were evaluated.

Results: The urine levels of BLCA-4 in the patients with bladder cancer was significantly higher than non-bladder cancer group (P<0.001). There was no significant relationship between urine levels of BLCA-4 with tumor stage and size (P>0.05).

Conclusion: The present study indicated that high urine levels of BLCA-4 was presented in patients with bladder cancer and this tumor marker has a high capability for early diagnosis of the disease, which can be used for screening and follow-up of bladder cancer.

Keywords: BLCA-4; bladder; malignancy; urine.