Novel Urinary Biomarkers for the Detection of Bladder Cancer
Matthijs Oyaert, Charles Van Praet, Charlotte Delrue, Marijn M. Speeckaert
Abstract
Bladder cancer (BCa) is a highly recurrent malignancy that requires sensitive and noninvasive diagnostic and predictive markers. Conventional diagnostic tools, such as cystoscopy and urine cytology, are far from ideal in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and patient compliance. In this narrative review, the development of novel urinary markers for the diagnosis of BCa is highlighted, with a focus on their application in the clinical arena, detection accuracy, and future potential. An extensive analysis of new urinary biomarkers, including proteinuria-based tests, DNA methylation biomarkers, and RNA-based molecular panels, has been conducted. Various molecular tests, such as Cxbladder®, Bladder EpiCheck®, and UroSEEK, are highly sensitive and clinically valid. Urinary biomarkers provide a promising noninvasive alternative for traditional BCa diagnostics with enhanced specificity and the possibility of early diagnosis. Future research should focus on large-scale clinical validation and standardization of biomarkers to facilitate their use in routine clinical practice.