Evaluation of variations in urine laminin-γ2 monomer in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer before and after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor

We have previously reported urine laminin-γ2 monomer (Lm-γ2m) as a diagnostic biomarker for patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). However, Lm-γ2m has not been evaluated as a prognostic biomarker for patients with NMIBC after transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT). This study aimed to clarify whether urine Lm-γ2m offers a useful prognostic biomarker for patients with NMIBC after TURBT. Participants comprised 41 patients with NMIBC. Urine Lm-γ2m was prospectively measured before and 3 months after TURBT and values were compared. Traditional urine tumor markers such as urine nuclear matrix protein 22 and cytology were also evaluated before and after TURBT. Patients were stratified by the presence of recurrence within 1 year after TURBT and values of urine Lm-γ2m before and after TURBT were analyzed. Mean urine Lm-γ2m values were significantly decreased after TURBT compared to before surgery. Mean urine Lm-γ2m before and after TURBT were higher in patients with recurrence within 1 year after surgery than in patients without recurrence. Urine Lm-γ2m before TURBT was also important to predict prognosis in patients with NMIBC treated using TURBT. These results suggest urine Lm-γ2m as a potentially useful biomarker for NMIBC before and after TURBT.