UHRF1 is a Potential Molecular Marker for Diagnosis and Prognosis of Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the second most common cancer of the urinary system. An estimated 386,300 new cases and 150,200 deaths from bladder cancer occurred in 2008 worldwide (Jemal et al., 2011). The highest rates of bladder cancer incidence are found in industrially developed countries, particularly in North America and Western Europe (Parkin et al., 2005). Bladder cancer is more common in males. The cancer is the 7th most common cancer in males worldwide and 4th most common cancer in males in industrially developed countries, while the cancer is not ranked in the top 10 most common cancers in females even in industrially developed countries (Jemal et al., 2011). In industrially developed countries, approximately 90% of the cancers are transitional cell carcinomas (TCCs), while the remaining 10% are squamous cell carcinomas and adenocarcinomas (Stein et al., 2001). There are several potential biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis for bladder cancer, including Nuclear matrix protein-22 (NMP-22), human complement factor H related protein, telomerase, fibrin degradation product, and hyaluronic acid (Dey, 2004). Among these, only two biomarkers, NMP-22 and human complement factor H related protein, are in clinical use in Japan. Although these two markers are in clinical use, sensitivity and specificity of these markers are not perfect (van Rhijn et al., 2005); NMP-22 staining shows false positivity reactions in patients with hematuria, and the BTA (bladder tumour antigen) stat/BTA TRAK assay, which detects human complement factor H related protein, shows false positivity reactions in patients with urinary tract inflammation, recent genitourinary tumours and in cases of bladder stone (Dey, 2004). Cytology is still the most accurate diagnosis method, although sensitivity is not enough high (van Rhijn et al., 2005). Thus, discovery of a novel biomarker, which is sensitive and specific for bladder cancer, is an urgent subject.