Detection of sFas in the urine of bladder cancer patients

Bladder cancer represents a global health problem. It ranks ninth in worldwide cancer incidence. In Egypt, bladder cancer constitutes 30% of all cancers.Early detection of bladder cancer is a challenge, considering that disease progression results in significant morbidity and mortality. There are several potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of bladder cancer but cytology is still the most accurate diagnostic method, although sensitivity is not enough high. sFas is produced and released by bladder urothelial carcinoma cells and urinary sFas levels could be an independent predictor of the presence and invasiveness of bladder cancer. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the usefulness of urinary sFas as a non-invasive diagnostic test for bladder cancer. The present study included 87 subjects, classified into malignant, benign and normal cases. The urine supernatant was used for determination of sFas by ELISA. In the present study sFas was higher in malignant than benign and control cases. sFas sensitivity was 75.5 % and specificity was 81.6 %. The combined use of urine cytology with urinary sFas increased urine cytology sensitivity while decreased its specificity.