hTERT mRNA expression in urine as a useful diagnostic tool in bladder cancer. Comparison with cytology and NMP22 BladderCheck Test®.
To study the relationship between quantitative mRNA determination (hTERT) in patients with bladder tumor, history of bladder tumor, and in subjects without a history of this neoplasia. A prospective randomized controlled study with 91 subjects included. The value of mRNA-hTERTN was determined in 63 patients with a history or suspicion of bladder tumor and in 28 controls. Urine samples were sent for evaluation of the mRNA level (hTERT), the cytological study and the NMP22 result. Differences were observed in mean hTERTN levels in each of the groups: tumor presence 21.33+/- 40.66, tumor history 2.16+/- 2.67, controls 0.9+/- 1, 75 (p<0.001). In patients with tumor, there was no difference in mean hTERTN levels between the different grades and stages, although there was a tendency: low grade tumor 9.04+/- 16.95, high grade 28.95+/- 48.36 (p=.069), stage Ta 10.33+/- 19.39, T1 17.88+/- 27.14, T2 54.8+/- 74.05 (p=.056). In addition, the sensitivity of hTERTN was superior to that of other test (76%), although specificity and positive and negative predictive values were better for cytology (94%, 88.4% and 72.3% respectively) and NMP22 (88%, 80.6% and 73.3% respectively). hTERTN mRNA levels in urine were higher in patients with bladder tumors compared to patients with a history of bladder tumor and with negative cystoscopy, as well as in the control group. This determination showed a higher diagnostic yield compared with the detection of NMP22 and urinary cytology.