ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: To determine the telomerase activity in urine samples of patients with superficial bladder cancer, its sensitivity and specificity as a tumor marker, and possible implications for prognosis, diagnosis and therapeutic efficacy. METHODS: Urine samples of 50 patients with superficial bladder cancer were analyzed. Telomerase activity was determined by TRAP (telomeric repeat amplification protocol). Standard urinary cytology, urine culture and urinary sediment analysis were performed, as well as a pathological analysis of the surgical specimen. RESULTS: 84% of the patients were positive for telomerase activity and only 52% had a positive cytology. Telomerase activity showed a sensitivity and specificity of 73.6% and 92.7%, respectively, versus 53.2% and 81.8% for urinary cytology. The degree of cell differentiation and, to a lesser extent, bladder wall infiltration showed differences in comparison with conventional urinary cytology. CONCLUSIONS: Telomerase activity can be determined in voided urine samples of patients with superficial bladder cancer. It has a higher sensitivity and specificity than conventional urinary cytology and is a good marker for diagnosis and follow-up of these patients.
