Transitional cell carcinoma is the most common type of bladder cancer and is the fourth most common cancer in US after prostate, lung and colorectal cancers. Bladder cancer is viewed by urologists as a chronic disease due to the high frequency of recurrence, which can be between 20 and 80 % depencidng on the tumor stage at disease diagnosis. Patients who have been treated for bladder cancer subsequently undergo regular cytoscopic examination in order to monitor for possible disease recurrence, however, this invasive procedure is uncomfortable for patients and places a heavy burden on urolgy services due to the number of bladder cancer sufferers and the frequency of check-ups that are usually performed at least once or twice per year.

Proteomika, in collaboration with SALVAT Biotech, has identified a panel of urine biomarkers for the diagnosis of bladder cancer recurrence in patients previously treated for the condition and has developed an immunoassay test kit for in vitro diagnostic use. The product consists of a solution-based bead array that simultaneously quantifies several protein markers in the patient´s urine and can be used to estimate the risk of disease recurrence.

The test´s diagnostic value has been established via a multi-centre study conducted in Spain involving the participation of over 1,500 patient visits to urologists between 2008 and 2009. The large number of samples collected and analyzed guarantees a precise analysis of the classifying ability of the test and allows a reliable evaluation of its clinical usefulness.

The Proteomika test will aid in reducing the need for cytoscopic examinations through a simple analysis of urine. The test thus offers both a benefit to patients, by avoiding invasive cytoscopic examination, and to urology services by reducing time and cost associated with monitoring for disease recurrence in bladder cancer patients.