Human urine has been considered a useful source of protein biomarkers for cancer and other diseases. Scientists at the University of Birmingham are working on a urine test that could aid in early detection and treatment of bladder cancer. The research could contribute significantly in improving patient outcomes which has little progress over the past 30 years.

Prognostic markers have been developed by other researches for diagnosis of bladder cancer, but the technology would entail invasive and costly examination of the tumour tissue through various tests. Therefore, the development of a simple, non-invasive and inexpensive test would improve management of bladder cancer patients. This would speed up and benefit more patients, especially those with the more aggressive bladder cancers.

The current study, which was published in the British Journal of Cancer, has identified two urinary markers— epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) and epithelial cell adhesion molecule (EpCAM). More than 400 clinical trials were conducted to support this finding. The scientists found that both biomarkers could reliably predict bladder cancer survival rates in addition to prognosis provided by existing diagnostic procedures. Increased levels of urinary EGFR and EpCAM correlate with cases of faster-growing cancer and poor survival rates.

Evaluating the urinary biomarkers could also help specialists modify management of patients with less aggressive cancers. This could reduce expense on treatment and minimise doctor visits. Although the urinary test provides reliable prognosis of the cancer, it should still be complemented with other medical tests that confirm the findings.

Blood in urine is an early indicator of urinary bladder cancer or other illness. Around 100,000 people in the United Kingdom are observed with haematuria each year. About 10 percent of which are diagnosed later with bladder cancer and only half manage to sustain survival rates. Bladder cancer management costs the National Health Service an approximate £65m per patient annually. This is the seventh most common cancer that affects more men than women in the UK probably because the men had more exposure to smoking and toxic elements while at work. Older people are usually the ones diagnosed with the disease which takes some time before it emerges, according to Cancer Research UK.

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