through urine tests in future
A study by Yale researchers reveals that the gene survivin is present in the urine of patients with bladder cancer -- a discovery that could lead to the development of a low-cost, non-invasive test for the disease.
The findings appeared in the Jan. 16 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Writing in that issue, Dr. Dario Altieri, a professor in the Department of Pathology at the School of Medicine, a member of the Yale Cancer Center and the study's lead invesigator, said: "The use of the gene survivin in the detection of bladder cancer is attractive to both patients and doctors; currently the only diagnostic tool for bladder cancer is a cystoscopy and biopsy, both of which are invasive and expensive procedures."
Survivin was first identified three years ago by researchers at the School of Medicine. The current study is a collaboration between the Departments of Surgery (Urology) and Pathology. Altieri's collaborators included Dr. Robert Weiss, professor of surgery and a Yale Cancer Center member, and Dr. Shannon Smith, associate research scientist.
In the study, urine samples were collected from volunteers with several types of cancer, including bladder cancer, as well as from healthy individuals. Analysis showed that there was no trace of survivin in the urine of healthy volunteers or those with prostate, renal, vaginal or cervical cancer. However, the gene was present in the urine of all those with new or recurrent bladder cancer.
According to Altieri, the researchers have applied to the National Cancer Institute's Early Detection Research Network to undertake a more extensive study in order to validate their results.
T H I S
Bulletin Home
W E E K ' SS T O R I E S
Index assesses nations' environmental health
Breastfeeding linked to reduced risk of developing breast cancer
Theater marks Yale's 300th year with comic romp
Unite for Sight focusing attention on importance of preserving eyesight
NYT columnist to visit Yale as Poynter Fellow
Study reveals how abrupt changes in climate have caused societal collapses
Promising entrepreneurs to compete in 'Y50K'
Event to examine disparities in the nation's health care
Exhibit shows how Roman history was 'rewritten' in art
Painting and calligraphy by Yale artists featured in centennial exhibit
MEDICAL SCHOOL NEWSDoctor advises baby boomers: Warm up before exercising
Human trials confirming effectiveness of using salmonella . . .
DNA chip technology helping to reveal genes' inner workings
Bladder cancer may be detected through urine tests in future
Book describes 'miraculous' ways children learn words
Exhibits explore the role of Yale in the international realm
Adorno wins prestigious honor for book on Spanish explorer
MacMullen is lauded for lifetime of scholarly achievements in history
Book on postindustrial America wins Mead Award
Blade Runners: A Photo Essay
Prize-winning portraits
Nominees sought for Whitney Humanities Center director
ITS launches 'The Circuit,' an online monthly newsletter
Yale SOM honors chair of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission . . .
Campus Notes
|Visiting on Campus|Calendar of Events|In the News|Bulletin Board
Yale Scoreboard|Classified Ads|Search Archives|Production Schedule
Bulletin Staff|Public Affairs Home|News Releases|
E-Mail Us|Yale Home Page