Detection and molecular staging of bladder cancer using real-time RT-PCR for gelatinases (MMP-2, MMP-9) and TIMP-2 in peripheral blood

Molecular staging of bladder cancer based on the detection of mRNA of urothelial specific genes in circulating cancer cells has been inconclusive. We analyze whether real-time RT-PCR evaluation of gelatinases (MMP-9, MMP-2) and TIMP-2 in peripheral blood allows diagnosing and characterizing patients with bladder neoplasm. Total RNA is extracted from circulating blood cells in 42 individuals (11 healthy controls, 31 patients with bladder cancer...