A new method for evaluation of urinary autocrine motility factor and tumor cell collagenase stimulating factor as...

Over the past several years, many tumor markers, including cell surface antigens, T-antigen, ras p55, and ras p52 proteins, have been studied as potential tumor markers of bladder cancer. The lack of specificity and inconsistency of these markers led us to develop a new method for studying the urinary excretion of autocrine motility factor (uAMF) and tumor cell collagenase stimulating factor (TCSF) in 24-hour and first morning voided specimens. AMF is a glycoprotein secreted by the malignant cells and is responsible for cell locomotion, a key event in invasion and metastases of the malignant cells. TCSF is a membrane bound glycoprotein of tumor cells that stimulates fibroblast collagenase production. We have utilized an enzyme-linked immunoabsorption assay to detect the levels of uAMF and TCSF in urine samples collected from normal volunteers, patients with benign diseases, and patients with bladder cancer. Our data indicate that urinary concentrations of uAMF and TCSF are elevated in patients with bladder cancer. Furthermore, the levels of uAMF and TCSF are more elevated in invasive tumors as compared with benign counterparts. We have localized uAMF and TCSF in bladder cancer cells, utilizing immunohistologic techniques.