Urinary Biomarkers for Early Kidney Cancer Diagnosis

Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine have identified a pair of proteins excreted in the urine that could lead to earlier and more accurate diagnosis of kidney cancer. They tested urine samples from 42 patients with an incidental radiographically discovered renal mass and a presumptive diagnosis of kidney cancer, and from 15 individuals who did not have cancer but were scheduled for surgery, and 19 healthy controls. They focused on two proteins that previously had been found in kidney tumors: aquaporin-1 (AQP1) and adipophilin (ADFP). Urine AQP1 and ADFP concentrations in patients with a pathologic diagnosis of clear cell or papillary cancer were significantly greater than in patients with renal cancer of nonproximal tubule origin, control surgical patients, and healthy volunteers. Together these two types account for about 90% of all kidney cancers. The concentrations correlated with tumor size and decreased sharply after nephrectomy. Further research is still needed but in the future these tests may allow for routine screening for kidney cancer.
Press release: Urine test for kidney cancer a step closer to development…
Article abstract in Mayo Clinic Proceedings : Urinary Biomarkers for the Early Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer…