Molecular biomarkers in diagnosis of bladder cancer

Abstract

Rapid development of genomic studies has led to development of new molecular biomarkers for diagnosis of primary and recurrent forms of bladder cancer. The study objective is to evaluate the current status of molecular biomarkers for diagnosis of recurrence and/or progression of bladder cancer and possibilities of their clinical use. A search of literature published in the last several years in the Pubmed and MedLine databases was performed. The obtained data was analyzed, sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative prognostic value were determined. The requirements for quality and characteristics of molecular biomarkers vary significantly depending on a specific case. The clinical role of urine biomarkers in observation of patients with nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer remains uncertain. Assays approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration do not demonstrate desired sensitivity and specificity which leads to their limited use. Currently, commercial assays of urine biomarkers are not sufficiently studied which predetermines further search for the optimal method of early diagnosis of bladder cancer. Multicenter clinical studies will allow to determine the place of each molecular biomarker in clinical practice.