The role of the BLCA-4 nuclear matrix protein in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer (BC) affects usually older people. According to information provided by the National Cancer Registry in 2012. BC was the 4th, in terms of illness, cancer in men and 11th in women. Early diagnosis of bladder cancer is important because detected later has worse prognosis.Diagnosis of bladder cancer is not simple and it is still very invasive. Usually the cystoscopy or endoscopic bladder biopsy with histopathological evaluation and cytology of urine sediment is used. This prompted researchers to look for alternative noninvasive methods of diagnosis of bladder cancer. Recently, it was described the group of six proteins (BLCA) specific for BC, with special attention to BLCA-4.BLCA-4 belongs to the nuclear matrix protein and has a high specificity for this type of cancer however the value of this marker in BC diagnosis is not yet established. Oxidative DNA damage play an important role in the pathogenesis of some human diseases, including cancer. Determination of 8-hydroxy-2'deoksyguanozyne (8-OHdG) is currently used in the evaluation of genotoxic damage.The aim of the work was to review information on BLCA-4, its function in the process of BC carcinogenesis and diagnostic value also in exposure to genotoxic compounds measured by 8-hydroxy-2'deoksyguanozyne (8-OHdG) level.