Diagnostic Values of Serum Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 and Nuclear Matrix Protein 22 for Bladder Cancer

This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic value of serum matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and nuclear matrix protein 22 (NMP22) in patients with bladder cancer.

Patients pathologically diagnosed with bladder cancer between January 2023 and January 2024 were included as the experimental group, while healthy individuals undergoing routine physical examinations during the same period comprised the control group. Serum MMP-9 and NMP22 levels were measured via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Diagnostic performance was assessed using receiver operating characteristic curves, and multivariate logistic regression was performed to determine their ability to independently predict tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage.

Serum MMP-9 and NMP22 levels were significantly higher in bladder cancer patients compared to healthy controls (p < 0.001). Patients at the T stage showed significantly elevated levels compared to those at the N and M stages (p < 0.001). The areas under the curves for MMP-9, NMP22, and their combination were 0.786 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.714-0.857), 0.785 (95% CI: 0.714-0.857), and 0.793 (95% CI: 0.725-0.862), respectively, with corresponding sensitivities of 70.00%, 72.00%, and 75.00%, and specificities of 80.00%, 78.00%, and 85.00%. Hematuria (odds ratio (OR): 3.42, 95% CI: 1.89-6.18), frequent urination (OR: 2.44, 95% CI: 1.41-4.22), urinary urgency (OR: 2.18, 95% CI: 1.19-3.99), MMP-9 (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 1.004-1.016), and NMP22 (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.97-0.99) were identified as independent predictors of TNM stage (p < 0.05). The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data further confirmed elevated MMP-9 messenger RNA (mRNA) expression in tumor tissues versus adjacent normal tissues (p < 0.001).

Serum MMP-9 and NMP22 levels are significantly elevated in bladder cancer and correlate with TNM stage. Combined detection may improve diagnostic accuracy and clinical utility in bladder cancer diagnosis.