A DIAGNOSTIC PROTEIN MARKER FOR BLADDER CANCER

摘要

The present invention involves a method for detecting bladder cancer in a subject. The method preferably comprises first collecting a urine sample from the subject. The presence of a proteinaceous substance having a molecular weight of about 180 kDa according to its relative electrophoretic migration rate through detergent-containing polyacrylamide gel is then measured. This substance reversibly binds concanavalin A and is complexed with gamma globulin while in the urine. The gamma globulin complex binds to Staphlococcal protein A. Said proteinaceous substance, when present in detectable amount, is an indicator of bladder cancer. The method of the present invention for diagnosing bladder cancer in a subject may also be described as comprising detection in a urine sample from said subject of a proteinaceous substance having a molecular weight of about 180 kDa and being unreactive with antibodies specifically binding to carcinoembryonic antigen or epidermal growth factor receptor. When an antibody is used for the present method of diagnosis, an initial step for preparing an antibody specifically binding a urinary 180 kDa antigen present in urine of bladder cancer victims is carried out. This antibody of course may be prepared by others and merely obtained by commercial purchase. In any case said antibody may be used to detect the bladder cancer-specific 180 kDa antigen of the present invention in patient urine. This antibody is most preferably monoclonal or may be polyclonal.