Low Cubilin/Myeloperoxidase ratio as a promising biomarker for prognosis of high-grade T1 bladder cancer

Purpose T1 bladder cancer is known for its high progression and recurrence rates.

Identifying aggressive tumours at the non-muscle-invasive stage is crucial to allow early interventions and subsequently increase patient survival.

This study aimed to investigate the potential of the cubilin/myeloperoxidase (CUBN/MPO) ratio as a high-grade T1 bladder cancer biomarker.

Methods Urine samples were collected from 30 patients who underwent transurethral resection of the tumour with high-grade T1 bladder cancer (June 2015 to December 2019) before surgery.

The urinary proteome was analysed using high-resolution mass spectrometry and the CUBN/MPO ratio was calculated.

The primary outcome was the recurrence during the follow-up (around 31.5 months after resection).

Univariate Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier curves were used for data analysis.

Results Patients with a low CUBN/MPO ratio exhibited upregulated MPO and/or downregulated CUBN.

This group of patients had a higher incidence of disease recurrence and progression.

Low CUBN/MPO ratio was significantly associated with a higher likelihood of recurrence, progression, and death.

It is worth noting that this study was exploratory and conducted on a small sample size, so further research is needed to validate these findings in larger cohorts.

Conclusion This study highlights the potential of the CUBN/MPO ratio as a prognostic biomarker for high-grade T1 bladder cancer.