Background
Bladder cancer is the sixth most common malignancy in men worldwide. Smoking is the main responsible factor. Urothelial carcinoma is the most common type of common bladder cancer. Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) is a proinflammatory cytokine secreted by a variety of cells. MIF is expressed in human urothelial cells, released into the bladder lumen. Released MIF binds to MIF receptors to mediate bladder inflammation.
Aim
The aim of the study was to (a) evaluate macrophage MIF as a novel marker for bladder cancer; (b) investigate correlations between MIF in both bladder diseases and urinary bladder cancer; and (c) to investigate correlations of MIF in urinary bladder cancer stage and size.
Patients and methods
This study was conducted on 80 patients, which included 40 bladder cancer patients (stage T1 and T2) and 40 bladder disease patients (urinary polyp, uninary tract infection, and bladder stone). Ten healthy individuals served as the control group. Serum macrophage MIF was measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique using the human MIF enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit.
Results
The level of MIF was significantly higher in patients with bladder cancer in comparison to those with bladder diseases and the control group.
Conclusion
Serum MIF was significantly increased in both urinary bladder diseases and urinary bladder cancer groups, while it was significantly increased in Urinary bladder cancer (UBC) compared with Urinary bladder disease (UBD). There was significant positive correlations between MIF and both UBD and UBC groups. MIF could be used as a diagnostic tool in bladder cancer.