Ceruloplasmin Levels in Cancer Tissues and Urine Are Significant Biomarkers of Pathological Features and Outcome in Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Background/aim: A previous report showed that immune complex-ceruloplasmin (CP) in urine is associated with carcinogenesis and malignant behavior in bladder cancer (BC). We investigated the pathological significance and prognostic roles of urine and tissue levels of CP protein in BC patients.

Materials and methods: Urine CP levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in 97 patients. CP expression in BC tissues was evaluated by immunohistochemical analysis in 176 patient samples.

Results: Urine CP levels were positively associated with tumor grade and pT stage in non-muscle invasive BC (NMIBC). CP expression in BC tissues was positively associated with tumor growth and progression. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that high urine CP levels was an independent predictor of recurrence in the urinary tract in NMIBC (hazard ratio=2.87, p=0.016).

Conclusion: CP-related markers, especially urine CP levels, are useful biomarkers of malignant potential and prognosis in NMIBC.

Keywords: Ceruloplasmin; bladder cancer; immunohistochemistry; recurrence; urine levels.