A systematic review on diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for bladder cancer

BackgroundBladder cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies worldwide. Despite its high incidence, public awareness of the condition remains low, and it has received less research attention compared to other common cancers. Over the past 80 years, patient outcomes and treatment strategies have remained largely unchanged, with cystoscopy being the primary method for detecting bladder cancer. This procedure, often repeated during long-term surveillance due to the recurrent nature of bladder tumors, is both uncomfortable for patients and costly for healthcare providers. The identification and validation of molecular biomarkers in blood, urine, or tissue could facilitate tumour detection and reduce reliance on cystoscopy. AimThis study aims to identify potential molecular biomarkers for bladder cancer that could improve tumour detection and lessen the need for repeated cystoscopies. MethodsA systematic review was conducted, searching for articles related to bladder cancer biomarkers in four databases: PubMed, ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, and Cochrane. Studies that met the inclusion criteria underwent title/abstract screening and full-text review. A total of twenty studies were deemed eligible for inclusion in this review. ResultsThe review identified several gene product biomarkers, including TEAD4, TPM1, TPM2, SKA3, EO1, HYAL3, MTDH, EPDR1, hTERT, KRT7, SW, ARHGAP9, XPH4, OTX1, BUB1, and Usp28. Additionally, protein product biomarkers were identified, such as A1AT, APOE, AG, CA9, IL8, MMP9, MMP10, PAI1, SCDI1, SDC1, VEGFA, CD73, TIP2, CXCL5, PCAT6, and NCR3LG1 (B7-H6). ConclusionThe study highlights the potential of various gene and protein biomarkers for the detection of bladder cancer. Further research is necessary to validate these biomarkers diagnostic and prognostic potential in identifying bladder cancer in suspected cases.