Eosinophil cationic protein in urine in patients with urinary bladder tumors

Measurement of eosinophil cationic protein (ECP) in urine constitutes a new biochemical method for assessment of local eosinophil activity in the bladder. ECP in urine was measured in 18 patients previously treated for various types of urinary bladder tumors and a comparable control group of 18 normals. The median concentration of ECP in urine from the patients was 46.5 arb. U/l versus 24.5 arb. U/l from normals. This difference was statistically highly significant (p<0.01). This study suggests that eosinophils are involved in the host tumor relationship in patients with urothelial neoplasia. Measurement of ECP in urine may imply a new concept for assessment of urothelial tumors.