Archive · 4 Oct 2026
Stanford Urine Test May Detect Bladder Cancer and Guide Treatment
Researchers at Stanford and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System made a test that looks for cancer-related RNA in urine.
The test is called uRARE-seq.
In a study of 683 urine samples, it found most of the samples from people with localized bladder cancer and correctly returned negative results for many people without cancer.
The researchers said it performed better than two existing urine tests.
It may also show how active a tumour is and whether treatment could work.
In the study, certain RNA patterns were linked to responses to BCG immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
The test might one day help some patients avoid repeated bladder examinations with a camera.
More studies are needed before doctors can use it routinely.
Stanford Medicine and VA Palo Alto researchers developed uRARE-seq, a urine test that analyzes RNA fragments shed by tumour cells.
In 683 urine samples, the test identified 95% of people with localized bladder cancer and returned negative results for 90% of people without it.
Researchers said uRARE-seq outperformed standard urine cytology and a DNA-based urine test in the study.
The test distinguished low-grade from high-grade cancer, detected residual disease, and showed promise for predicting response to BCG immunotherapy or chemotherapy.
Larger prospective, multicentre trials are planned before the test can be considered for routine diagnosis, surveillance, or treatment selection.
- Who
- Researchers from Stanford Medicine and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System developed the test.
- What
- They developed uRARE-seq, a urine test intended to detect bladder cancer, identify residual disease, and help predict treatment response.
- When
- The study findings were published in Nature Medicine on October 2, 2026.
- Where
- The research involved Stanford Medicine and the VA Palo Alto Health Care System.
- Why
- The researchers aim to improve cancer detection and treatment decisions while reducing reliance on repeated invasive procedures.
- Test name
- uRARE-seq
- Samples studied
- 683 urine samples from patients and healthy volunteers
- Localized cancer detection
- Correctly identified 95% of people with localized bladder cancer in the study
- Negative results
- Correctly returned a negative result for 90% of people without bladder cancer in the study
- What it measures
- RNA fragments shed by tumour cells into urine
- Publication
- Nature Medicine, October 2, 2026
- Next step
- Larger, prospective, multicentre validation trials