Cluster of differentiation (CD) circulating 44 ⁺ and CD54 ⁺ leukocyte percentages and interleukin (IL)-4, IL-6, IL-17, and cytokeratin-20 levels aid in the diagnosis of bladder cancer

Although bladder cancer is quite prevalent, routine screening tests are unavailable, and diagnostic methods are invasive. Cluster of differentiation (CD) 44 and CD54 play key roles in immune cell adhesion and migration, while interleukins (IL)-4, IL-6, and IL-17 influence tumour growth and immune responses. Cytokeratin-20 (CK-20) expression is upregulated in urothelial carcinomas. This study evaluated the relationship between CD44+ and CD54+ leukocyte percentages and IL-4, IL-6, IL-17, and CK-20 levels in diagnosing bladder cancer. Ninety participants were divided into three groups: 43 healthy controls, 21 undergoing control cystoscopy, and 26 with newly diagnosed bladder cancer. Percentages of CD44+ and CD54+ lymphocytes, neutrophils, and monocytes, along with serum cytokine and CK-20 levels, were measured. Tumour invasion was also evaluated. CD44+ lymphocyte percentages were significantly higher in newly diagnosed patients and in invasive versus non-invasive tumours. Using a 9.8% cut-off, CD44+ lymphocytes demonstrated an area under the curve of 0.879, with 80% sensitivity and 95.5% specificity for tumour detection. These findings suggest that the CD44+ lymphocyte percentage is a strong, minimally invasive biomarker for diagnosing bladder cancer and predicting muscular invasion.