Urinary nuclear matrix protein 22 as a new marker for the screening of urothelial cancer in patients with microscopic hematuria

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to determine the clinical usefuln ess of nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) as a new urinary marker for the sc reening of urothelial cancer in patients with microscopic hematuria, especi ally in comparison with that of voided urine cytology. Methods: Patients with microscopic hematuria detected at a health examinati on, who were advised by a consulted urologist to have a cystoscopical exami nation. were asked to enter this study. Urine samples were collected before cystoscopy and divided into two portions for a NMP22 test and voided urine cytology. Results: Of the 309 patients with microscopic hematuria 22 cases (7.1%) of urothelial cancer and one case of prostate cancer were detected. For the ot her cases, 128 (41.1%) were of benign diseases and 158 (51.1%) were designa ted as having no evidence of disease (NED). The median NMP22 values for uro thelial cancer, other diseases and NED were 35.5, 6.7 and 6.0U/mL, respecti vely, with 95% confidence intervals of 19.9-228.2, 5.1-9.3 and 5.4-7.2, res pectively The sensitivity of the NMP22 test for urothelial cancer was 90.9% (20/22), whereas the sensitivity of voided urine cytology was only 54.5% ( 12/22). Conclusions: The present study indicates that urinary NMP22 is a useful too l for the screening of urothelial cancer in patients with microscopic hemat uria.