H19 non-coding RNA in urine cells detects urothelial carcinoma: a pilot study.

CONTEXT: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is common and highly recurrent. Diagnosis and follow-up involve invasive cystoscopies.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate H19 RNA in urine cells as diagnostic tool for UC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: RT-PCR analysis of urine samples from healthy volunteers and UC patients.

RESULTS: H19 RNA was unequivocally detected in the urine of 90.5% of patients and 25.9% of controls. H19 copies were three orders of magnitude higher in patients. Receiver operating characteristic analysis showed an area under the curve of 0.933.

CONCLUSIONS: This pilot study shows that urinary cell H19 is a highly sensitive test for UC and pending verification could transform patient management.