Allione A, et al. - Levels of MMP23 genes (microarray and qPCR) and protein (Western Blot and ELISA) were assessed in a set of samples (blood, plasma and urine) from urothelial bladder cancer (UBC) patients and controls to determine their efficacy as biomarkers for this cancer. Researchers presented the first evidence of MMP23B (a poorly characterized metalloproteinase) secretion in plasma and urine, suggesting its role in UBC as a possible non-invasive biomarker. Compared to controls, MMP23B and its pseudogene MMP23A was down-regulated in blood cells from UBC patients. Conversely, increased MMP23B protein levels were seen in plasma (53 UBC, 49 controls) and urine (59 UBC, 57 controls), and the increase was statistically significant in urine.