A Diagnostic for the Early Detection of Bladder Cancer

Environmental exposures, specifically tobacco smoke, increases the risk of many cancers, including bladder cancer. To date, there are no diagnostics capable of detecting bladder cancer early, that is prior to clinical presentation. Because of this severe limitation, nearly 30% of patients initially present with stage 2 and higher bladder cancer. Stage 2 bladder cancer has a 5-year survival of 50%, while stage 3/4 have a 5-year survival of <20%. Ideally, bladder cancer would be preventable. Unfortunate, this has not come to fruition. If these stage 2-4 bladder cancer cases could be detected at Stage 1 (5-yr survival >94%), then its possible to see an improvement in bladder cancer survival rates (21-23).

in this study, a urine-based diagnostic that possesses the potential to accurately identify patients who harbor bladder cancer prior to clinical manifestation will be tested.

Inclusion criteria

Participants must be:

• Age 50 years or older
• >20 pack year history of tobacco exposure
• Free of any malignancy except for the following: adequately treated basal cell or squamous cell skin cancer, in situ cervical cancer, adequately treated Stage I or II cancer from which the patient is currently in complete remission, or any other cancer from which the patient has been disease free for five years. Patients with localized prostate cancer who are being followed by an active surveillance program are also eligible.
• Scheduled to be evaluated in the Pulmonary Rehab Clinic or Lung Cancer Screening Clinic
• Willing and able to give written informed consent
• Willing to provide voided urine sample
• Be able and willing to complete semi-annual research clinic visits for 4 years

Exclusion criteria

Participants must not have:

• History of hematuria (microscopic or gross) within 2 years of signing consent.
• Previous history of bladder cancer
• A known active urinary tract infection or urinary retention
• An active stone disease (renal or bladder) or renal insufficiency (creatinine >2.0 mg/dL) - Serum creatinine value can be up to 2 years before consent, otherwise repeat.
• An ureteral stents, nephrostomy tubes or bowel interposition
• A recent genitourinary instrumentation (within 7 days prior to collection of voided urine sample)