DR-360 Xenobiotic metabolizers in bladder cancer progression

Metastasis marks the culmination of tumorigenesis and is the leading cause of mortality in cancer. The underlying molecular processes that drive metastasis and the identification of biomarkers for early intervention remain largely elusive. We have analyzed whole exome sequencing (WES), tissue microarrays (TMAs) and RNA-sequencing data from primary and advanced bladder cancer (BC) and found that expression of xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes promotes the appearance of aggressive tumors and therefore could explain disease progression and possibly response to chemotherapy. Based on these findings the enzymes are proposed to play key roles in BC and are potential drug targets.

Francisco Real, Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), Spain