Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Bladder tumor markers: Need, nature and application. 2 Tumor and tumor-associated antigens

  • Review Article
  • Published:
International Urogynecology Journal Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Despite the diversity of the available markers, none is truly specific to transitional epithelium, let alone its tumors. Some of the markers used, such as hCG and CEA, are far better known in other fields and seem to be expressed in only a minority of urothelial tumors. The majority of the available markers are tumor associated and should perhaps be considered as by-products of the process of malignancy in the urinary tract. Newer tests which are simple, rapid and easy to use have a practical advantage. These are currently the Bard BTA, BTA Stat and Aura-Tek FDP tests. So far, these markers have achieved only an arguable and marginal role in daily clinical practice, challenging the role of cytology and helping decide the type of cystoscopy. A more substantial role awaits a test with higher and more consistent sensitivity and specificity, together with the capability to provide independent diagnostic and/or prognostic information. In this part of the review we examine the literature view of the above-mentioned tests, as well as other new and some older tests such as blood group-related antigens, Lewis antigen, cytokeratins and others.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Fradet Y, Cordon-Cardo C. Critical appraisal of tumor markers in bladder cancer.Semin Urol 1993;11:145–153

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  2. Galbagni G, Reuter VE, Sheinfeld J, Fradet Y, Fair WR, Cordon-Cardo C. Cell surface differentiation antigens of normal urothelium and bladder tumors.Semin Surg Oncol 1992;8:293–299

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  3. Aprikian AG, Sarkis AS, Reuter VE, Cordon-Cardo C, Sheinfeld J. Biological markers of prognosis intransitional cell carcinoma of the bladder: current concepts.Semin Urol 1993;11:137–144

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Huland E, Huland H, Meier TH et al. Comparison of 15 monoclonal antibodies against tumor-associated antigens of transitional cell carcinoma of the human bladder.J Urol 1991;146:1631–1636

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Golijanin D, Sherman Y, Shapiro A, Pode D. Detection of bladder tumors by immunostaining of the Lewis X antigen in cells from voided urine.Urology 1995;46:173–177

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Loy TS, Alexander CJ, Calaluce RD. Lewis X antigen immunostaining in the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma.Modern Pathol 1995;8:587–590

    Google Scholar 

  7. Pinnock CB, Roxby CJ, Ross JM, Pozza CH, Marshall VR. Ploidy and Tn-antigen expression in the detection of transitional cell neoplasia in non-tumour-bearing patients.Br J Urol 1995;75:461–469

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  8. Iles RK, Chard T. Human chorionic gonadotrophin expression by bladder cancers: biology and clinical potential.J Urol 1991;145:453–458

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  9. McLoughlin J, Pepera T, Bridger J, Williams G. Serum and urinary levels of beta human chorionic gonadotrophin in patients with transitional cell carcinoma.Br J Cancer 1991;63:822–824

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Moutzouris G, Yannopoulos D, Barbatis C, Zaharof A, Theodorou C. Is beta-human chorionic gonadotrophin production by transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder a marker of aggressive disease and resistance to radiotherapy?Br J Urol 1993;72:907–909

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Smeets W, Pauwels R, Schapers R. Serum free β-hCG, a biomarker for bladder, carcinoma patient? (Letter to the editor).Int J Biol Markers 1997;12:83–84.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Smith DJ, Evans HJ, Newman J, Chapple CR. Ectopic human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) production: is the detection by serum analysis of HCG of clinical relevance in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder?Br J Urol 1994;73:409–412

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Marcilliac I, Cottu P, Theodore C, Terrier-Lacombe MJ, Bellet D, Droz JP. Free hCG-β subunit as tumour marker in urothelial cancer (Letter to the editor).Lancet 1993;341:1354–1355

    Google Scholar 

  14. Iles RK, Persad R, Trivedi M et al. Urinary concentration of human chorionic gonadotrophin and its fragments as a prognostic marker in bladder cancer.Br J Urol 1996;77:61–69

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Hall RR, Laurence DJR, Munro Neville A, Wallace DM. Carcinoembryonic antigen and urothelial carcinoma.Br J Urol 1973;45:88–92

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Wahren B, Nilsson B, Zimmerman R. Urinary CEA for prediction of survival time and recurrence in bladder cancer.Cancer 1982;50:139–145

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  17. Tanaka K, Takashi M, Miyake K, Koshikawa T. Immunocytochemically demonstrated expression of epithelial membrane antigen and carcinoembryonic antigen by exfoliated urinary cells in patients with bladder cancer.Urol Int 1994;52:140–144

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  18. Dexeus R, Logothetis C, Hossan E, Samuels ML. Carcinoembryonic and beta-human chorionic gonagotrophin as serum markers for advanced urothelial malignancies.J Urol 1986;136:403–407

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Pham HT, Block NL, Lokeshwar VB. Tumor-derived hyaluronidase: a diagnostic urine marker for high-grade bladder cancer.Cancer Res 1997;57:778–783

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  20. Lokeshwar VB, Obek C, Soloway MS, Block NL. Tumor-associated hyaluronic acid: a new sensitive and specific urine marker for bladder cancer.Cancer Res 1997;57:773–777

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Morita T, Kikuchi T, Hashimoto S, Kobayashi Y, Tokue A. Cytokeratin-19 fragment (CYFRA 21-1) in bladder cancer.Eur Urol 1997;32:237–244

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Pariente JL, Bordenave L, Michel Ph, Latapie MJ, Ducassou D, Le Guillou M. Initial evaluation of CYFRA 21-1 diagnostic performances as a urinary marker in bladder transitional cell carcinoma.J Urol 1997;158:338–341

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  23. Harden P, Eardley I, Joyce AD, Southgate J. Cytokeratin 20 as an objective marker of urothelial, dysplasia.Br J Urol 1996;78:870–875

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  24. Stieber P, Schmeller N, Schambeck C et al. Clinical relevance of CYFRA 21-1, TPA-IRMA and TPA-LIA-mat in urinary bladder cancer.Anticancer Res 1996;16:3793–3798

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. Senga Y, Kimura G, Hattori T, Yoshida K. Clinical evaluation of soluble cytokeratin 19 fragments (CYFRA 21-1) in serum and urine of patients with bladder cancer.Urology 1996;48:703–710

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  26. Dittadi R, Barioli P, Gion M et al. Standardization of assay for cytokeratin-related tumor marker CYFRA 21-1 in urine samples.Clin Chem 1996;42:1634–1638

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Walther PJ. “Wildcatting” for breakthroughs in urothelial cancer detection and management—a frustrating business. (Editorial).J Urol 1995;154:1348–1350

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Ho KJ. Urinary β-glucuronidase in screening and follow-up of primary urinary tract malignancy.J Urol 1995;154:1335–1338

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Mungan U, Kirkali G, Celebi I, Kirkali Z. Singificance of serum laminin P1 value in patients with transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.Urology 1996;48:496–500

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  30. Abou Farha KM, Menheere PP, Nieman FH, Janknegt RA, Arends JW. Urine laminin P1 assessment discriminates between invasive and noninvasive urothelial cell carcinoma of the bladder.Urol Int 1993;51:204–208

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Rosen EM, Joseph A, Jin L et al. Urinary and tissue levels of scatter factor in transitional cell carcinoma of bladder.J Urol 1997;157:72–78

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Korman HJ, Peabody JO, Cerny JC, Farah RN, Yao J, Raz A. Autocrine motility factor receptor as a possible urine marker for transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.J Urol 1996;155:347–349

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Sarosdy MF. Data interpretation and integration of new tests into clinical practice (Editorial).J Urol 1997;158:2107–2108

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Bailey M, Bassi P, Boccon-Gibod L et al. The Bard BTA test: its role in bladder cancer management. Report from the BTA Key Evaluator Programme Forum, Amsterdam, 13 June 1995. Uro Communications, P.O. Box 162, 6590 AD Gennep, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  35. Sarosdy MF, DeVere White RW, Soloway MS et al. Results of a multicentre trial using the BTA test to monitor for and diagnose recurrent bladder cancer.J Urol 1995;154:379–384

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  36. D'Hallewin MA, Baert L. Initial evaluation of the bladder tumor antigen test in superficial bladder cancer.J Urol 1996;155:475–476. Erratum 1996;155:2041

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  37. Leyh H, Mazeman E, Hall RR, Bennett AH. Results of a European multicentre trial comparing the Bard BTA test to urine cytology in patients suspected of having bladder, cancer.J Urol 1996;155:492, Abstract 726

    Google Scholar 

  38. Kirollos MM, McDermott S, Bradbrook RA. The performance characteristics of the bladder, tumour antigen test.Br J Urol 1997;80:30–34

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. The United Kingdom and Eire bladder tumour antigen study group. The use of the bladder-tumour associated analyte test to determine the type of cystoscopy in the follow-up of patients with bladder cancer.Br J Urol 1997;79:362–366

    Google Scholar 

  40. Ianari A, Sternberg CN, Rossetti A et al. Results of Bard BTA test in monitoring patients with a history of transitional cell cancer of the bladder.Urology 1997;49:786–789

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  41. Leyh H, Hall R, Mazeman E, Blumenstein BA. Comparison of the Bard BTA test with voided urine and bladder wash cytology in the diagnosis and management of cancer, of the bladder.Urology 1997;50:49–53

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Murphy WM, Rivera-Ramirez I, Medina CA, Wright NJ, Wajsman Z. The bladder tumor antigen (BTA) test compared to voided urine cytology in the detection of bladder neoplasms.J Urol 1997;158:2102–2106

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  43. Johnston B, Morales A, Emerson L, Lundie M. Rapid detection of bladder cancer: a comparative study of point of care tests.J Urol 1997;158:2098–2101

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Sun WH, Chan AYT, Yiu TF. Results of a multicentre trial using the BTA test to monitor for and diagnose recurrent bladder cancer (Letter to the editor).J Urol 1996;156:1137–1138

    Google Scholar 

  45. Siemens DR, Johnston B, Emerson L, Morales A. A comparative analysis of rapid urine testing for the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma (TCC) of the upper tracts.J Urol 1997;157:327, Abstract 1275

    Google Scholar 

  46. Brunelle S, Kinders B, Murchison H, Pfalzgraf R, Root R. Rapid detection of bladder tumour antigen in urine with the Bard BTA stat Assay. Presented at the International Congress of Clinical Chemistry, Wembley, UK, July 1996

  47. Leyh H, Marberg M, Pagano F et al. Results of a European multicentre trial comparing the BTA-stat test to urine cytology in patients suspected of having bladder cancer.J Urol 1997;157:337, Abstract 1316

    Google Scholar 

  48. Sarosdy MF, Hudson MA, Ellis WJ et al. Detection of recurrent bladder cancer, using a new one step test for bladder tumor antigen.J Urol 1997;157:337, Abstract 1318

    Google Scholar 

  49. Wiener H, Milan C, Pycha A, Haitel A, Marberger M. New diagnostic tools in bladder cancer.J Urol 1997;157:342, Abstract 1338

    Google Scholar 

  50. Sarosdy MF, Hudson A, Ellis WJ et al. Improved detection of recurrent bladder cancer using the Bard BTA-stat test.Urology 1997;50:349–353

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  51. Kinders R, Jones T, Root R et al. Human bladder tumor antigen is a member of the RCA (regulators of complement activation) gene family.J Urol 1997;147:28, Abstract 110.

    Google Scholar 

  52. Kinders RJ, Root R, Jones T, Hass GM. Complement factor H-related proteins are expressed in bladder cancers.Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res 1997;38:29, Abstract 189.

    Google Scholar 

  53. Ishak LM, Enfield DL, Redmond WA, Sarosdy MF. Detection of recurrent bladder cancer using a new quantitative assay for bladder tumor.J Urol 1997;157:337, Abstract 1317

    Google Scholar 

  54. McCabe RP, Lamm DL, Haspel MV et al. A diagnostic-prognostic test for bladder cancer using a monoclonal antibody-based enzyme-linked immunoassay for detection of urinary fibrin(ogen) degradation products.Cancer, Res 1984;44:5886–5893

    Google Scholar 

  55. Schmetter BS, Habicht KK, Lamm DL et al. A multicentre trial evaluation of the fibrin/fibronogen degradation products test for detection and monitoring of bladder cancer.J Urol 1997;158:801–805

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  56. Wajsman Z, Merrin CE, Ming Chu T, Moore RH, Murphy GP. Evaluation of biological markers in bladder cancer.J Urol 1975;114:879–883

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  57. Wajsman Z, Williams PD, Greco J, Murphy GP. Further study of fibrinogen degradation products in bladder cancer detection.Urology 1978;12:659–661

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  58. Jayachandran S, Unni Mooppan MM, Wax SH, Kim H. The value of urinary fibrin/fibrinogen products as tumor markers in uroethelial carcinoma.J Urol 1984;132:21–23

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  59. Ewing R, Tate GM, Hetherington JW. Urinary fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products in transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder.Br J Urol 1987;59:53–58

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  60. Sofras F, Nikolopoulou R, Karaglannis A, Kostakopoulos A, Deliveliotis Ch, Dimopoulos C. Fibrin/fibrinogen degradation products in bladder, tumors.Eur Urol 1990;18(Suppl. 1):31, Abstract 58.

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  61. Schmetter S, Habicht KK, Lamm DL et al. Results of a multicenter trial evaluation of Aura-Tek FDP: an aid in the management of bladder cancer patients.J Urol 1996;155:492, Abstract 725.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Urology Department, Torbay Hospital, South Devon Health Care Trust, 17 Shiphay Avenue, TQ2 7ED, Torquay, Devon, UK

    M. M. Kirollos, S. McDermott & R. A. Bradbrook

Authors
  1. M. M. Kirollos
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. S. McDermott
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. R. A. Bradbrook
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Kirollos, M.M., McDermott, S. & Bradbrook, R.A. Bladder tumor markers: Need, nature and application. 2 Tumor and tumor-associated antigens. Int Urogynecol J 9, 228–235 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01901609

Download citation

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01901609

Keywords

Search

Navigation