AUTOCRINE MOTILITY FACTOR-RECEPTOR AS A POSSIBLE URINE MARKER FOR TRANSITIONAL-CELL CARCINOMA OF THE BLADDER

Purpose: To determine whether autocrine motility factor receptor (AMFR ) is detectable in the urine of patients with transitional cell carcin oma (TCC) of the bladder. Materials and Methods: We assayed the urine of 89 patients with bladder pathology and 28 normal controls for AMFR. A monoclonal antibody to AMFR was used. Results: All patients with mu scle-invasive TCC tested positive for AMFR. Autocrine motility factor receptor was detectable for 80% of superficial tumors, with a correlat ion between AMFR and tumor grade. Seventy-five percent of control urin es tested negative. Conclusions: Autocrine motility factor receptor is detectable in the urine of patients with TCC. Long-term follow-up and refinements in the assay should define the marker's utility for detec tion and prognosis.