DJ-1 Expression Might Serve as a Biologic Marker in Patients with Bladder Cancer

Abstract

The overexpression of DJ-1 protein and its secretion into the bloodstream has been reported in various neoplasms. However, serum levels and the subcellular localization of DJ-1 have not been analyzed in detail in bladder cancer (BC). Our comprehensive analysis of these variables started with the measurement of DJ-1 in serum from 172 patients with BC, 20 patients with urolithiasis and 100 healthy participants. Next, an immunohistochemical study of DJ-1 expression and localization was conducted in 92 patients with BC, and associations with clinicopathologic factors and patient outcomes were evaluated. Serum DJ-1 was significantly higher in patients with BC than in those with urolithiasis or in healthy participants. Immunohistochemically, a cytoplasm-positive (Cy+) and nucleus-negative (N−) DJ-1 pattern was associated with age and pathologic stage. Log-rank tests indicated that the Cy+, N− pattern was significantly associated with overall survival (OS), recurrence-free survival (RFS), and cancer specific survival (CSS). In addition, the Cy+, N− pattern was an independent prognostic factor in the multivariate analysis adjusted for the effects of the clinicopathologic outcomes. The investigation of DJ-1 expression might help physicians to make decisions regarding further follow-up and additional treatments.

Diagnostic Potential of Circulating Tumor Cells, Urinary MicroRNA, and Urinary Cell-Free DNA for Bladder Cancer: A Review

“…At initial diagnosis, approximately 75% of BCa cases are non-muscle-invasive (NMIBC), and 20% are muscle invasive (MIBC) [ 3 ]. Proteomic research, combined with pathology data, has been extensively applied in an attempt to clarify the oncologic characteristics of BCa [ 4 , 5 , 6 , 7 ]. Subsequently, molecular analyses have shown large differences in the aggressiveness of NMIBC, and early detection and treatment are known to contribute to favorable oncologic outcomes in a proportion of NMIBC cases [ 8 , 9 , 10 ].…”

Insights into Urologic Cancer

“…DJ-1 is involved in various cellular processes and has been implicated in cancer development and progression. Hirano et al [ 5 ] studied DJ-1 expression in the serum of patients with BCA and control subjects. They observed higher DJ-1 levels in BCA patients using a simple ELISA test, indicating that DJ-1 could serve as diagnostic biomarker for BCA.…”