Histologic subtypes of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

The majority of bladder cancers(BCs)are non-muscle invasive BCs(NMIBCs)and show the morphology of a conventional urothelial carcinoma(UC).Aberrant morphology is rare but can be observed.The classification and characterization of histologic subtypes(HS)in UC in BC have mainly been described in muscle in-vasive bladder cancer(MIBC).However,the currently used classification is ap-plied for invasive urothelial neoplasm and therefore,also valid for a subset of NMIBC.The standard transurethral diagnostic work-up misses the presence of HS in NMIBC in a considerable percentage of patients and the real prevalence is not known.HS in NMIBC are associated with an aggressive phenotype.Conse-quently,clinical guidelines categorize HS of NMIBC as“(very)high-risk”tumors and recommend offering radical cystectomy to these patients.Alternative strategies for bladder preservation can only be offered to highly selected patients and ideally within clinical trials.Novel treatment strategies and biomarkers have been established MIBC and NMIBC but have not been comprehensively invest-igated in the context of HS in NMIBC.Further evaluation prior to implementation into clinical practice is needed.

TM9SF1 is implicated in promoting the proliferation and invasion of bladder cancer cells

Zhuo et al looked into the part of transmembrane 9 superfamily member 1(TM9SF1)in bladder cancer(BC),and evaluated if it can be used as a therapeutic target.They created a permanent BC cell line and tested the effects of TM9SF1 overexpression and suppression on BC cell growth,movement,invasion,and cell cycle advancement.Their results show that TM9SF1 can boost the growth,movement,and invasion of BC cells and their access into the G2/M stage of the cell cycle.This research gives a novel direction and concept for targeted therapy of BC.

Treatment and surveillance for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer:a clinical practice guideline(2021 edition)

Non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)is a major type of bladder cancer with a high incidence worldwide,resulting in a great disease burden.Treatment and surveillance are the most important part of NIMBC management.In 2018,we issued“Treatment and surveillance for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer in China:an evidencebased clinical practice guideline”.Since then,various studies on the treatment and surveillance of NMIBC have been published.There is a need to incorporate these materials and also to take into account the relatively limited medical resources in primary medical institutions in China.Developing a version of guideline which takes these two issues into account to promote the management of NMIBC is therefore indicated.We formed a working group of clinical experts and methodologists.Through questionnaire investigation of clinicians including primary medical institutions,24 clinically concerned issues,involving transurethral resection of bladder tumor(TURBT),intravesical chemotherapy and intravesical immunotherapy of NMIBC,and follow-up and surveillance of the NMIBC patients,were determined for this guideline.Researches and recommendations on the management of NMIBC in databases,guideline development professional societies and monographs were referred to,and the European Association of Urology was used to assess the certainty of generated recommendations.Finally,we issued 29 statements,among which 22 were strong recommendations,and 7 were weak recommendations.These recommendations cover the topics of TURBT,postoperative chemotherapy after TURBT,Bacillus Calmette–Guérin(BCG)immunotherapy after TURBT,combination treatment of BCG and chemotherapy after TURBT,treatment of carcinoma in situ,radical cystectomy,treatment of NMIBC recurrence,and follow-up and surveillance.We hope these recommendations can help promote the treatment and surveillance of NMIBC in China,especially for the primary medical institutions.

A Th2-score in the tumor microenvironment as a predictive biomarker of response to Bacillus Calmette Guérin in patients with non-muscle invasive bladder carcinoma:A retrospective study

Intravesical Bacillus Calmette Guerin(BCG)is the gold standard therapy for intermediate/high-risk nonmuscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC).However,the response rate is~60%,and 50%of non-responders will progress to muscle-invasive disease.BCG induces massive local infiltration of inflammatory cells(Th1)and ultimately cytotoxic tumor elimination.We searched for predictive biomarker of BCG response by analyzing tumor-infiltrating lymphocyte(TIL)polarization in the tumor microenvironment(TME)in pre-treatment biopsies.Pre-treatment biopsies from patients with NMIBC who received adequate intravesical instillation of BCG(n=32)were evaluated retrospectively by immunohistochemistry.TME polarization was assessed by quantifying the T-Bet+(Th1)and GATA-3+(Th2)lymphocyte ratio(G/T),and the density and degranulation of EPX+eosinophils.In addition,PD-1/PD-L1 staining was quantified.The results correlated with BCG response.In most non-responders,Th1/Th2 markers were compared in pre-and post-BCG biopsies.ORR was 65.6%in the study population.BCG responders had a higher G/T ratio and a greater number of degranulated EPX+cells.Variables combined into a Th2-score showed a significant association with higher scores in responders(p=0.027).A Th2-score cut-off value>48.1 allowed discrimination of responders with 91%sensitivity but lower specificity.Relapse-free survival was significantly associated with the Th2-score(p=0.007).In post-BCG biopsies from recurring patients,TILs increased Th2-polarization,probably reflecting BCG failure to induce a pro-inflammatory status and,thus,a lack of response.PD-L1/PD-1 expression was not associated with the response to BCG.Our results support the hypothesis that a preexisting Th2-polarized TME predicts a better response to BCG,assuming a reversion to Th1 polarization and antitumor activity.

Schisandra B inhibits proliferation, migration and invasion of bladder cancer by regulating the Wnt/β‑catenin signaling pathway

Objective:To investigate the effects of Schisandra B on proliferation,migration,invasion of bladder cancer and to further investigate its molecular mechanism.Methods:Bladder cancer cells were subjected to different concentrations of Schisandra B solution(0,20,40,80μmol/L).CCK-8 assay was used to detect the effect of schisandra B on bladder cancer cell proliferation.Transwell migration assay and wound healing assay were used to detect the effect of Schisandra B on the migration of bladder cancer cells.Transwell invasion assay was used to detect the effect of schisandra B on invasion ability of bladder cancer cells.The expression levels of intracellularβ-catenin and c-myc protein were measured by western blot.Results:Schisandra B inhibited the proliferation of T24 and UM-UC-3 cells in a concentration and time dependent manner(P<0.05).The rate of wound healing and number of migration and invasion cells decreased with the increase of Schisandra B concentration(P<0.05).The expression ofβ-catenin and c-myc decreased after treatment with Schisandra B in bladder cancer cells(P<0.05).Conclusion:Schisandra B can inhibit the proliferation,migration and invasion of human bladder cancer T24 and UM-UC-3 cells,and the main mechanism for its inhibitory effect may be related to the inactivation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG)in treating non-muscle invasive bladder cancer—analysis of adverse effects and effectiveness of two strains of BCG(Danish 1331 and Moscow-I)

Objective:To compare the differences in adverse effects and efficacy profile between bacillus Calmette-Guerin(BCG)Danish 1331 and BCG Moscow-I strain in management of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer.Methods:Clinical data of 188 cases of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer treated with BCG between January 2008 and December 2018 in our institute were collected prospectively and analysed retrospectively,and 114 patients who completed a minimum of 12 months of follow-up were analysed.Patient and tumor characteristics,strain of BCG,adverse effects,and tumor progression were included for analysis.Intravesical BCG was instilled in intermediate-and high-risk patients.Six weeks of induction BCG,followed by three weekly maintenance BCG at 3,6,12,18,and 24 months was advised in high-risk patients.Results:Overall 68 patients received BCG Danish 1331 strain and 46 patients received Moscow-I strain.Patient and tumor characteristics were well balanced between the two groups.The median follow-up period was 42.5 months and 34.5 months in Danish 1331 and Moscow-I groups,respectively.Adverse events like dropout rate,antitubercular treatment requirement,and need of cystectomy were higher in Moscow-I group(n=31,67.4%)when compared to Danish 1331 strain(n=33,48.5%)(p=0.046).On direct comparison between Danish 1331 and Moscow-I strain,there was similar 3-year recurrence-free survival(80.0%vs.72.9%)and 3-year progression-free survival(96.5%vs.97.8%).Conclusion:Study results suggest no significant differences between Danish 1331 and Moscow-I strain in recurrence-free survival and progression-free survival,but a significantly higher incidence of moderate to severe adverse events in BCG Moscow-I strain.

Survival after radical cystectomy for bladder cancer:Multicenter comparison between minimally invasive and open approaches

Objective:To investigate oncological outcomes in patients with bladder cancer who underwent minimally invasive radical cystectomy(MIRC)or open radical cystectomy(ORC).Methods:We identified patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy(RC)in 13 centers of the Chinese Bladder Cancer Consortium(CBCC).Perioperative outcomes were compared between MIRC and ORC.The influence of surgical approaches on overall survival(OS)and cancer-specific survival(CSS)in the entire study group and subgroups classified according to pathologic stage or lymph node(LN)status was assessed with the log-rank test.Multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the association among OS,CSS and risk factors of interest.Results:Of 2098 patients who underwent RC,1243 patients underwent MIRC(1087 laparoscopic RC and 156 robotic-assisted RC,respectively),while 855 patients underwent ORC.No significant differences were noted in positive surgical margin rate and 90-day postoperative mortality rate.MIRC was associated with less estimated blood loss,more LN yield,higher rate of neobladder diversion,longer operative time,and longer length of hospital stay.There was no significant difference in OS and CSS according to surgical approaches(pZ0.653,and 0.816,respectively).Subgroup analysis revealed that OS and CSS were not significantly different regardless of the status of extravesical involvement or LN involvement.Multivariable Cox regression analyses showed that the surgical approach was not a significant predictor of OS and CSS.Conclusions:Our study showed that MIRC was comparable to conventional ORC in terms of OS and CSS.

The Role of Serum Cytokeratin 19 Fragment in Transarterial Infusion against Invasive Bladder Cancer

Background: We used transcatheter arterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI) for patients with T1G3 and greater than T2 bladder cancer, which was diagnosed after extensive and deep transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TUR-BT), and we investigated the utility of serum cytokeratin 19 fragment (CYFRA) as a predictive factor of the response to therapy. Material and Methods: From November 2001 to November 2010, 56 patients (46 males and 10 females) with pathologically confirmed T1 G3 or greater than T2 bladder cancer after TUR-BT underwent two courses of TAI of cisplatin, methotrexate and doxorubicin as neoadjuvant setting. Then, patients underwent evaluation TUR-BT. Thereafter, the bladder was preserved in patients with superficial or undetectable tumors on TUR-BT. Advanced cases and residual bladder tumor cases were treated with total cystectomy or systemic chemotherapy. CYFRA levels were measured before and after performing TAI. Results: With this therapy, the 5-year survival rate was 85.7% in pT1G3, 82.3% in pT2, and 66.6% in greater than pT3 cases. Bladder preservation with no recurrence was observed in 58.7% of the patients. Grade III adverse events included leucopenia (6/56 patients: 10.7%). Serum CYFRA levels significantly decreased with treatment (in 4/6 patients with elevated CYFRA levels). Conclusion: These results suggest that although total cystictomy is usually indicated for T1G3 bladder cancers, bladder preservation and control of micrometastases can be achieved by performing TAI after extensive and deep TUR-BT. Our results also suggest the utility of monitoring serum CYFRA to assess the response to therapy.

Role of gemcitabine and cisplatin as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in muscle invasive bladder cancer: Experience over the last decade

Objective:Neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by radical cystectomy is considered the standard of care for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer.In the last decade,interest in neoadjuvant chemotherapy has slowly shifted from methotrexate,vinblastine,doxorubicin and cisplatin regime to gemcitabine and cisplatin regime.There are many publications on gemcitabine and cisplatin regime in literature which cover different aspects of treatment.This review aims to summarise the findings published so far on gemcitabine and cisplatin regime and present it in a concise manner.Methods:A systematic literature review was conducted searching the PubMed
database in December 2016 using the medical subject heading(MeSH)with the terms gemcitabine,cisplatin,chemotherapy,muscle invasive bladder cancer,and neoadjuvant.All relevant studies were included and results were analysed.Results:A total of 13 studies were included which published between 2007 and 2015.These 13 studies comprised of 754 subjects suffering from muscle invasive bladder cancer.The proportion of male patients ranged from 60%to 86.4%and the median age ranged from 54.2 to 77.3 years in various studies.Complete pathological response(pT0)was seen in 30.0%of patients and pathological downstaging(<pT2)was seen in 48.67%of patients.Conclusion:As per latest guidelines,neoadjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for patients with muscle invasive bladder cancer.There is substantial pathological downstaging with low toxicity in patients of muscle invasive bladder cancer who receive neoadjuvant gemcitabine and cisplatin regime.

Molecular mechanisms and novel therapeutic strategies of BCG-unresponsive non-muscle invasive bladder cancer: Emerging immunotherapy has become a new choice?

Objective:THigh-risk non-invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC)has a high rate of recurrence and disease progression.At present,there are still insufficient effective prevention and treatment methods,especially for patients who have failed BCG treatment.This article reviews the research progress of the molecular mechanism of BCG unresponsive NMIBC,and summarizes the current status and prospects of emerging therapeutic strategies represented by immunotherapy,providing a theoretical basis for the immunotherapy of BCG non-reactive NMIBC.Methods:We searched the PubMed and CNKI journal full-text database search system for keywords"non-muscle invasive bladder cancer,BCG unresponsive,disease recurrence,disease progression,and immunotherapy"with 126 English and 538 Chinese articles.The literature,as well as the relevant clinical research in ClinicalTrials.gov,were integrated together to obtain the results.Results:Immunotherapy was performed in various types of tumors,and the use of immunotherapeutic drugs with different oncotargets administered alone,sequentially or in combination for the treatment of BCG-unresponsive NMIBC have achieved favorable effects,and more Clinical research is still ongoing.Conclusion:Immunotherapy is currently the most promising treatment for cancer,and it is indispensable for patients with NMIBC,both biologically and clinically.We look forward to more laboratory and clinical research in immunotherapy in the future.

Recirculating chemohyperthermia as a treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer:Current and future perspectives

About 75% of all bladder cancer diagnosed are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer(NMIBC), recurring over 50% of them after transurethral resection of the bladder tumor. In order to prevent recurrences, adjuvant intravesical chemotherapy with mitomycin C and immunotherapy with bacillus Calmette-Gu-érin(BCG) is traditionally used. Unfortunately, many patients relapse after receiving these treatments and a significant proportion of them require surgery. After a one-to-three years BCG maintenance, the risk for progression at 5 years was 19.3% for T1G3 tumors. Many new treatment approaches are being investigated to increase the effectiveness of adjuvant intravesical therapy. One of the developing treatments for intermediate and high-risk NMIBC is the combination of intravesical chemotherapy and hyperthermia, called chemohyperthermia. This article provides a review of the mechanism of action, current status and indications, results and future perspectives.

Did the Scientific Innovations in the Management of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Patients Improve the Outcome during the Last 2 Decades?

Objectives: Previous reviews reported the outcome of each scientific modality in the management of T1 high-grade bladder cancer. The objective of this review is to assess and evaluate the available scientific modalities used during the last two decades and determine whether they were able to improve the clinical outcome. Literature Search Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted from 2000-2020 using PubMed, Medline, Embase, and other database sites looking at randomized controlled trials (RCTs), clinical trials, research, review articles, and original articles addressing the different scientific modalities used to diagnose and manage patients with non-muscle invasive Bladder cancer (NMIBC)during the last 2 decades. More than 573 studies were retrieved following the preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) guidelines and PICOS criteria (Population, Intervention, Comparators, Outcomes, and Study design). Only 85 articles were selected for review including 19 prospective trials, 44 RCTs, original articles, research articles, one review article, and clinical trials—Retrospective studies were excluded to limit bias as much as possible in the analysis. Results: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have become the gold standard for evaluating the efficacy of new treatments. They are considered the highest standard of evidence-based medicine and are the method of choice. Overall, we selected 85 studies for review, among them 63 prospective trials and RCTs, with a total of 21,895 patients, published between 2000 and 2020. Previously conducted studies have shown that identifying rare histological types with poor prognoses can help improve outcomes, mainly the plasmacytoid type. Many articles addressed the role of biomarkers in the early identification of patients with NMIBC for recurrence and progression—P-cadherin expression and others were used to predict recurrence and/or progression with promising results. Despite the need for modifications, risk stratification is an important tool that should be used to improve the outcome of patients with NMIBC. Some found that fluorescence diagnostic cystoscopy (FDC) and Photodynamic diagnosis (PDD) improved recurrence-free survival but not progression and outcome. All authors agree that intravesical BCG is the most effective therapy that changes the course of high-grade T1 mainly progression. Re-TURBT has become one of the recommendations of international societies, but its potential effect on survival improvement is debatable. Most of the articles showed the advantages of early cystectomy in NMIBC but all agree that the selection criteria must be clearly defined. Conclusions: This review analyzed the outcomes provided by the scientific advances in the field of management of NMIBC patients in the last two decades. Patients with T1 bladder cancer have variable outcomes because of tumor heterogeneity and clinical staging. Despite the great development in the field of diagnosis, risk stratification, and management, further large studies are mostly needed to better elucidate this subset of patients and avoid over and under-treatment.

Correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography time-intensity curve parameters of bladder cancer with the invasive growth of cancer cells and the angiogenesis in the lesion

Objective:To study the correlation of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography time-intensity curve parameters of bladder cancer with the invasive growth of cancer cells and the angiogenesis in the lesion.Methods: Patients with bladder cancer who underwent surgical resection in Ezhou Central Hospital between March 2015 and April 2017 were selected as the research subjects, they received preoperative contrast-enhanced ultrasonography, the time-intensity curve was drawn, and the parameters AT, PT, WT and PI of bladder cancer tissue and adjacent tissue were calculated;after surgery, the bladder cancer tissue and adjacent tissue were collected to measure the expression of proliferation, invasion and angiogenesis molecules.Results: AT, PT and WT levels in bladder cancer tissue were significantly lower than those in adjacent tissue whereas PI level as well as Rce1, YAP,β-catenin, c-myc, CUGBP1, Annexin-II, uPA, CXCL10, CXCR3, ILK, VEGF, COX2, HIF-1 and NAC1 mRNA expression was significantly higher than those in adjacent tissue;Rce1, YAP,β-catenin, c-myc, CUGBP1, Annexin-II, uPA, CXCL10, CXCR3, ILK, VEGF, COX2, HIF-1 and NAC1 mRNA expression in bladder cancer tissue were negatively correlated with the AT, PT and WT levels, and were positively correlated with the PI level.Conclusion: The change of the contrast-enhanced ultrasonography time-intensity curve parameters of bladder cancer is valuable for evaluating the invasive growth of cancer cells and the angiogenesis in the lesion.

Clinicopathological Analysis of Patients with Nonmuscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer Who Underwent Radical Cystectomy

Objectives: Surgical specimens obtained at the time of the last transurethral resection of bladder tumor (TURBT) for patients with nonmuscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) who underwent radical cystectomy were retrospectively evaluated in order to investigate the relationship between pathological variation and upstaging of NMIBC. Methods and Materials: Twenty patients (19 men, 1 woman;aged 69.4 ± 12.1 (mean ± SD) years) diagnosed with NMIBC underwent radical cystectomy during follow-up. Results: Five of the 20 patients (25%) had pathological upstaging in the radical cystectomy specimens. There was a statistical association between pathological upstaging and cancer death (p = 0.002). There were three patterns of pathological variation in the upstaged specimens: 1) in patients with BCG-resistant NMIBC, urothelial carcinoma invaded through the lamina propria;2) urothelial carcinoma showed diffuse invasion beyond the deep lamina propria, and the cancer cells had infiltrated as single cells and formed nodules;3) TURBT specimens showed a micropapillary variant. Conclusions: Since these pathological variations correlated with pathological upstaging, they may provide an indication for cystectomy in NMIBC patients.

Effect of the tea polyphenol combined with epirubicin on the apoptosis, autophagy and invasive growth of bladder cancer cells

Objective: To study the effect of the tea polyphenol combined with epirubicin on the apoptosis, autophagy and invasive growth of bladder cancer cells. Methods: T24 bladder cancer cell lines were cultured and divided into three groups, TP+EPI group were treated with 100 μmol/L tea polyphenol combined with 5 μmol/L epirubicin, EPI group were treated with 5 μmol/L epirubicin and control group were treated with drug-free RPMI medium. The mRNA expression of apoptosis, autophagy and invasion genes was measured after 24 h of treatment. Results: DAB2IP, PTEN, LC3 and Beclin1 mRNA expression in TP+EPI group and EPI group were significantly higher than those in control group while Rce1, YAP, DEK, p62, KPNA2, GRP78, Fra-1, SPOCK1 and CX43 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those in control group;DAB2IP, PTEN and p62 mRNA expression in TP+EPI group were significantly higher than those in EPI group while Rce1, YAP, DEK, LC3, Beclin1, KPNA2, GRP78, Fra-1, SPOCK1 and CX43 mRNA expression were significantly lower than those in EPI group. Conclusion:Tea polyphenol combined with epirubicin can promote the apoptosis and inhibit the autophagy and invasion of bladder cancer cells.

Matrine inhibits bladder cancer cell growth and invasion in vitro through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway:An experimental study

Objective:To study the inhibitory effect of matrine on bladder cancer cell growth and invasion in vitro through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. Methods:Human T24 bladder cancer cell lines were cultured and treated with different doses of matrine(0.25 mg/mL,0.5 mg/mL and 1.0 mg/mL) as well as 20 μmol/L PI3K inhibitor LY294002 for 24 h,and the cell proliferation activity,the number of invasive cells as well as the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT,proliferation genes and invasion genes were determined. Results:Different doses of matrine could decrease the cell viability value,the number of invasive cells as well as the expression of p-PI3K,p-AKT,MMP2 and MMP9,and increase the expression of p16,p21 and p27 in dose-dependent manner; p16,p21 and p27 expression in cells of 20 μmol/L LY29002 group were significantly higher than those of 0 μmol/L LY29002 group while MMP2 and MMP9 expression were significantly lower than those of 0 μmol/L LY29002 group(P<0.05). Conclusions:Matrine can inhibit bladder cancer cell proliferation and invasion in vitro and regulate the expression of cell cycle-inhibiting molecules and invasion-related genes through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Effect of salinomycin on metastasis and invasion of bladder cancer cell line T24

Objective: To explore the effect of salinomycin on the metastasis and invasion of bladder cancer cell line T24 by regulating the related protein expression in the process of epithelialmesenchymal transition(EMT), and to provide experimental basis for the treatment of urological tumors. Methods: The bladder cancer cell line T24 was cultured in vitro. The rat bladder tumor model was established in vivo. The rats were randomized into two groups, among which the rats in the experiment group were given intraperitoneal injection of salinomycin, while the rats in the control group were given intraperitoneal injection of normal saline. The change of tumor cells in the two groups was observed. Transwell was used to detect the cell migration and invasion abilities, Real-time PCR was used to detect the expression of m RNA, while Western-blot was utilized for the determination of the expressions of E-cadherin and vimentin proteins. Results: The metastasis and invasion abilities of serum bladder cancer cell line T24 after salinomycin treatment in the experiment group were significantly reduced when compared with those in the control group, and the tumor metastasis lesions were decreased from an average of 1.59 to 0.6(P<0.05). T24 cell proliferation in the experiment group was gradually decreasing. T24 cell proliferation at 48 h was significantly lower than that at 12 h and 24 h(P<0.05). T24 cell proliferation at 24 h was significantly lower than that at 12 h(P<0.05). T24 cell proliferation at each timing point in the experiment group was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). The serum m RNA level and E-cadherin expression in the tumor tissues in the experiment group were significantly higher than those in the control group, while vimentin expression level was significantly lower than that in the control group(P<0.05). Conclusions: Salinomycin can suppress the metastasis and invasion of bladder cancer cells, of which the mechanism is probably associated with the inhibition of EMT of tumor cells.

Over-expression of LRIG3 Suppresses Growth and Invasion of Bladder Cancer Cells

The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of leucine-rich repeats and immu- noglobulin-like domains 3 （LRIG3） on the biological features of bladder cancer cell lines. The plasmids of over-expressed LRIG3 and the blank plasmid serving as control were transfected into the bladder cancer cell lines, T24, EJ and BIU-87, and the expression levels of LRIG3 mRNA and protein were de- tected by using real-time PCR and Western blotting. The changes in the cell cycle and apoptosis were examined by using flow cytometry. The invasive ability was measured by Transwell assay, and CCK-8 assays were used to measure the proliferation of cells. As compared with the control group, the LRIG3 mRNA and protein expression levels in LRIG3 cDNA-transfected group were raised significantly （P〈0.05）. The average number of cells with up-regulated LRIG3 passing through the inserted filter was decreased significantly as compared with the control group （P〈0.05）. Up-regulation of LRIG3 also could inhibit proliferation and induce apoptosis of T24, EJ and BIU-87 cells. Except BIU-87, the T24 and EJ cells transfected with LIRG3 eDNA were arrested in G0/G1 phase compared to the control group （P〈0.05）. In conclusion, the over-expression of LRIG3 could influence the cell cycle and invasion, in- hibit proliferation and induce apoptosis in the three bladder cancer cell lines.

Effects of Gene Tranfection with CH50 Polypeptide on the Invasion Ability of Bladder Cancer Cell Line BIU-87

The expression of CH50 polypoptide in bladder cancer cell line BIU-87 and the effects on the invasion ability of BIU-87 were investigated. The eukaryotic expressing vector pCH510 of polypeptide CH50 was introduced into BIU-87 cells by gene transfection in vitro. The expression of CH50 polypeptide was detected by using immunohistochemical S-P method. The expression of the transfected gene was identified by RT-PCR. Cell invasion assay kit was applied to detect the effect of CH50 polypeptide on the invasion ability of BIU-87. The results showed that the BIU-87 cells transfected with pCH510 could express the CH50 polypeptide, while in the control group, no CH50 polypeptide was detectable. In the transfection group, the invasion ability of BIU-87 in vitro was lower than in control group (P<0.05). It was concluded that CH50 polypeptide was successfully expressed in BIU-87 cells by gene transfection, by which the in vitro invasion ability of BIU-87 was inhibited.

Molecular Assessment of Non-Muscle Invasive and Muscle Invasive Bladder Tumors: Mapping of Putative Urothelial Stem Cells and Toll-Like Receptors (TLR) Signaling

Purpose: The main objectives of this study were to characterize and compare the urothelial stem cells (healthy and cancer cells) and TLRs features in the urinary bladder of men without lesionsand with non-muscle-invasive and muscle invasive urothelial tumors. Materials and Methods: Thirty samples of the urinary bladder of 50 to 80-year-old men, with and without diagnosis of malignant urothelial lesions were used. The 30 samples were divided into 3 groups (n = 10 per group): Normal Group;Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Group;Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer Group. The samples were histopathologically and immunohistochemically analyzed. The study was conducted at teaching Hospital of the University of Campinas (UNICAMP). Results: The CD44 and CD133 immunoreactivities were significantly intense in the muscle-invasive cancer group when compared to the other groups. The ABCG2 biomarker demonstrated intense immunoreactivities in both non-muscle and muscle invasive groups, and absent immunoreactivity in the normal group. All groups showed weak CD117 immunoreactivity. Putative Healthy Stem Cells (CD44/CD133/ CD117+) occurred in all groups. Putative Cancer Stem Cells (CD44/CD133/ABCG2+) only occurred in the non-muscle and muscle invasive cancer groups. TLR2 immunoreactivity was significantly lower in the non-muscle invasive cancer group and absent in the muscle invasive cancer group. TLR4 immunoreactivity was significantly lower in both cancer groups. Conclusions: This study leads us to the conclusion that putative cancer stem cell occurrence was sensitive to the decreased in TLR2 and TLR4 immunoreactivities. Also, TLR2 and TLR4 demonstrated their involvement in the regulation of the different biomarkers for putative healthy and cancer urothelial stem cells, probably acting as negative regulators of urothelial carcinogenesis. Taken together data obtained suggest that use of TLRs agonists could be a promising alternative for the treatment of non-muscle and muscle invasive bladder tumors.