RESUMO
OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the urinary nuclear matrix protein (NMP22) as an adjuvant diagnostic index for transitional cell carcinoma of urinary tract and monitoring the state of disease. METHODS: Urinary samples were collected from 262 patients with transitional cell carcinoma, 198 non-transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary tract and 65 patients with benign diseases. Urinary NMP22 concentration was determined through enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The urinary NMP22 concentration had significant difference among the three groups (Kruskal Wallis, chi(2) = 197.17 P < 0.001). The detection sensitivity and specificity of urinary NMP22 to transitional cell carcinoma were 71.37% and 87.69% respectively. The NMP22 concentration showed significant difference among three groups divided according to the pathological grade (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 34.06 P < 0.01). The NMP22 concentration was significant lower in the recovery patients after the operation than the peoples of pre-operation and recurrence (Kruskal-Wallis test, chi(2) = 37.53, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: MP22 is a helpful tumor marker for the diagnosis of transitional cell carcinoma and monitoring the state of illness with increased efficacy.