Use of the Nuclear Matrix Protein 22 BladderChek Test for the Detection of Primary and Recurrent Urothelial Carcinoma

An electrochemical ratiometric immunosensor for the detection of NMP22 based on ZIF-8@MWCNTs@Chit@Fc@AuNPs and AuPt-MB

Nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) is one of the most important tumor markers of bladder cancer and is significantly elevated in the urine of bladder cancer patients. Therefore, in this work, a highly sensitive ratiometric electrochemical immunosensor was constructed to detect NMP22 based on ZIF-8@MWCNTs@Chit@Fc@AuNPs composites. ZIF-8 had a large surface area and good adsorption ability. Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) can optimize the electrical conductivity of ZIF-8, so that the electrode surface of ferrocene (Fc) obtains a stable and strong electrochemical signal. In addition, AuPt-MB provided another strong detection signal methylene blue (MB) while immobilizing the secondary antibody (Ab2) through Au-N and Pt-N bonds. A ratiometric electrochemical sensor was formed based on ZIF-8@MWCNTs@Chit@Fc@AuNPs and AuPt-MB, which showed a great linear connection between IMB/IFc and the logarithmic concentration of NMP22 with a detection limit of 3.33 fg mL-1 (S/N = 3) under optimized specifications in the concentration interval of 0.01 pg mL-1 to 1000 ng mL-1. In addition, the ratiometric immunosensor showed good selectivity and stability.

New Perspectives on the Role of Liquid Biopsy in Bladder Cancer: Applicability to Precision Medicine

Bladder cancer (BC) is one of the most common tumors in the world. Cystoscopy and tissue biopsy are the standard methods in screening and early diagnosis of suspicious bladder lesions. However, they are invasive procedures that may cause pain and infectious complications. Considering the limitations of both procedures, and the recurrence and resistance to BC treatment, it is necessary to develop a new non-invasive methodology for early diagnosis and multiple evaluations in patients under follow-up for bladder cancer. In recent years, liquid biopsy has proven to be a very useful diagnostic tool for the detection of tumor biomarkers. This non-invasive technique makes it possible to analyze single tumor components released into the peripheral circulation and to monitor tumor progression. Numerous biomarkers are being studied and interesting clinical applications for these in BC are being presented, with promising results in early diagnosis, detection of microscopic disease, and prediction of recurrence and response to treatment.

The Role of Novel Bladder Cancer Diagnostic and Surveillance Biomarkers-What Should a Urologist Really Know?

The aim of this review is to analyze and describe the current landscape of bladder cancer diagnostic and surveillance biomarkers. We researched the literature from 2016 to November 2021 to find the most promising new molecules and divided them into seven different subgroups based on their function and location in the cell. Although cystoscopy and cytology are still the gold standard for diagnosis and surveillance when it comes to bladder cancer (BCa), their cost is quite a burden for national health systems worldwide. Currently, the research is focused on finding a biomarker that has high negative predictive value (NPV) and can exclude with a certainty the presence of the tumor, considering missing it could be disastrous for the patient. Every subgroup has its own advantages and disadvantages; for example, protein biomarkers cost less than genomic ones, but on the other hand, they seem to be less precise. We tried to simplify this complicated topic as much as possible in order to make it comprehensible to doctors and urologists that are not as familiar with it, as well as encourage them to actively participate in ongoing research.