Urine protein panel to find bladder cancer early

A Multiplex Protein Biomarker-Based Immunoassay for the Early Detection of Bladder Cancer and its Implications in Tumor Biology

NIH-funded research Cedars-Sinai Medical Center · NIH-11303244

A urine protein test checks multiple markers to find bladder cancer early in people at higher risk.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionCedars-Sinai Medical Center NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Los Angeles, United States)
Project IDNIH-11303244 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This project would use a small urine sample I provide to measure ten protein markers together with a single laboratory test. The team already built and analytically validated the multiplex immunoassay and saw very strong initial results in hundreds of samples. Now they plan to test the assay more broadly in people at risk for bladder cancer to confirm accuracy and reduce false positives. If the test works as hoped, it could become an easy screening option that avoids invasive procedures for many people.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are people at increased risk for bladder cancer, such as long-term smokers or those with occupational exposures to bladder carcinogens, and people with concerning urinary symptoms like blood in the urine.

Not a fit: People who already have advanced or metastatic bladder cancer, or those without bladder disease, are unlikely to gain direct benefit from this early-detection test.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the test could detect bladder cancer earlier when cure rates are much higher and reduce the need for invasive diagnostic procedures.

How similar studies have performed: The research team reported very strong preliminary performance (AUC ~0.95, sensitivity 0.93) in an initial cohort, though urine biomarker panels have had mixed results in wider past testing.

Where this research is happening

Los Angeles, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.