Published in the American Journal of Pathology, new diagnostic procedures reveal a protein biomarker that accurately differentiates bladder cancer from benign inflammation.
A report in The American Journal of Pathology describes new diagnostic procedures, which is label-free, automated, observer-independent, and as sensitive and specific as established histopathological methods.
The diagnostic procedure
Label-free digital pathology using infrared (IR) imaging with subsequent proteomic analysis for bladder cancer (BC) has revealed the first protein biomarker (AHNAK2) for BC.
AHNAK2 differentiates between chronic cystitis (inflammation of the bladder) and a non-muscle invasive-type BC (carcinoma in situ) which is difficult to diagnose.
Distinguishing benign inflammatory conditions in the bladder from low-grade and advanced cancers can be difficult, especially since some BC treatments induce inflammation.
Klaus Gerwert, PhD, Chairman of the Department of Biophysics and the PURE (Protein Research Unit Ruhr within Europe) consortium at Ruhr University Bochum, Germany, explains: “We developed this label-free digital pathology annotation system by IR imaging to support the pathologist, similar to driver assistance in cars.
“This technique in combination with a proteomics approach allowed us to identify AHNAK2 as an important new biomarker for BC, and the results encourage us to transfer this label-free digital technique to other pathologies”.
Identifying regions of interest
Using label-free Fourier transform IR (FTIR) imaging, investigators were able to classify unaltered tissue thin sections by colour to identify regions of interest. “The resulting index colour images automates tissue classification, including cancer type, subtype, tissue type, inflammation status, and even tumour grading,” noted Gerwert.
In an analysis of 103 freshly-frozen samples that included confirmed diagnoses for 41 cystitis, 19 low-grade carcinoma, and 43 high-grade carcinoma, FTIR imaging showed a specificity of 95%, sensitivity of 95%, and an accuracy of 95% compared to stained images reviewed by a trained pathologist.
Such diagnostic procedures also had the ability to differentiate cancerous from healthy tissue as well as low- from high-grade carcinoma.
Laser capture microdissection was then used to obtain homogenous tissue samples for protein analysis by proteomics. By comparing tissue from patients with inflammatory bladder (cystitis) to samples from patients with invasive, high-grade urothelial carcinoma, the researchers identified three potential biomarkers, with the protein AHNAK2 found to be the best performing candidate biomarker.
A helpful tool
“In our study, AHNAK2 was identified and verified in two steps as a candidate biomarker for BC,” adds Barbara Sitek, PhD, Deputy Director, Medizinisches Proteom-Center (MPC), Ruhr University, Bochum, Germany.
“AHNAK2 has already been proposed as a potential prognostic biomarker for clear renal cell and pancreatic cancers and is part of a urinary mRNA panel for the diagnosis of BC and prediction of tumour aggressiveness.”
The investigators believe AHNAK2 could be a very helpful tool for detecting CIS recurrence or persistence, particularly because misdiagnosis of CIS can delay treatment of an aggressive malignancy or could lead to unnecessary treatment or bladder removal.
