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 less than 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.