Urinary nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22): A diagnostic adjunct to urine cytologic examination for the detection of recurrent transitional-cell carcinoma of the bladder

This study compares urine nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) immunoassay and conventional urine cytologic examination for detecting recurrent transitio nal-cell carcinoma (TCC) of the urinary bladder One hundred twenty-eight ur ine specimens from 107 patients with a history of TCC of the urinary bladde r were studied. NMP22 immunoassay and conventional cytologic examination we re performed on each specimen. The NMP22 and cytology results were then com pared with the results of subsequent cystoscopies/surgical biopsies perform ed over a 6-mo follow-up period. The sensitivity of urine cytologic study f or predicting recurrent TCC was 60%, while the sensitivity of NMP22 assay w as 47%. When both NMP22 assay results and the cytologic interpretation were positive for TCC, the positive predictive value of the combined tests was 74%. When both tests showed negative results, the negative predictive power was 81%. Our findings suggest that urine NMP22 assay may represent a usefu l diagnostic adjunct to conventional urine cytologic examination for the de tection of recurrent TCC of the urinary bladder Diagn. Cytopathol. 1999;20: 285-290. (C) 1999 Wiley-Liss, Inc.