NMP-22 to screen for bladder cancer

M Levin, MD — Fri, 21 Dec 2012 17:57:09 +0000

NMP-22 urine assays for bladder cancer detect nuclear mitotic apparatus protein 1 (NUMA-1) using monoclonal antibodies. This protein can be elevated in the urine if bladder cancer cells that are rapidly dividing are present. It is not a partticularly specific tests, with many described non-cancer factors that elevate its values, and there is ongoing controversy as to whether its advantages in sensitivity over urine cytology are sufficient to recommend it as a routine screening test for bladder cancer.

Medicare has granted this test a CLIA exception but there are no guidelines that support its use at this time.

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Interferon after bladder cancer

M Levin, MD — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 17:56:43 +0000

Standard therapy after bladder cancer was removed and is found to not be muscle invasive cancer can reduce the risk of recurrence. Patients at high risk for cancer recurrence receive bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) therapy instilled into the bladder after surgery. One study that compared mitomycin with interferon alfa-2b showed an improved outcome with mitomycin, although interferon was better tolerated. Intravesical interferon therapy with BCGT or by itself can significantly lower the recurrence rate in superficial bladder cancer. In vitro evidence suggested that IFN combined with BCG may have a synergistic effect on the immune response, and treatment regimens with IFN have used reduced BCG dosage in an attempt to reduce toxicity.

Evidence supporting interferon is limited. NCCN recommends mitomycin or BCG.

For Porfessional version see here

Cancer Treatment Today » Bladder Cancer

NMP-22 to screen for bladder cancer

Interferon after bladder cancer