To assess primary biomarkers associated with bladder cancer (BLCA) progression and evaluate their clinical relevance for monitoring follow-up and treatment response, emphasizing their importance in clinical practice.
Key Findings:
Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer, with significant geographic variation in incidence rates. 90% of bladder cancer cases are urothelial carcinoma, which can exhibit diverse morphologies. Early diagnosis of NMIBC is crucial for reducing mortality and improving outcomes, especially given its high recurrence rate (50-70%) and progression rate (10-30%), which pose significant treatment challenges. Genomic and transcriptomic profiling has identified distinct genetic alterations linked to disease progression.
Interpretation:
Molecular profiling may enhance the accuracy of tumor progression predictions and improve personalized treatment strategies for NMIBC, potentially leading to better patient outcomes.
Limitations:
No reliable criteria exist for assessing NMIBC to MIBC progression risk, and the review excluded studies published in low-impact factor journals and those lacking comprehensive gene expression data, which may introduce bias.
Conclusion:
Identifying molecular features associated with NMIBC progression could lead to better prognostication and treatment approaches, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
