Revealing how bladder muscle helps cancer invade and spread further

Francisco X. Real

Fundación del Sector Público Estatal Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Oncológicas Carlos III, Spain

Invasion of the muscle layer of the bladder wall is a turning point in bladder cancer that is associated with metastasis, poor prognosis and more aggressive treatment. Even so, the interaction between cancer cells and muscle cells remains poorly understood. This project aims to investigate whether smooth muscle cells, traditionally viewed as a passive barrier, actively contribute to tumour progression.

Researchers will study how cancer and muscle cells communicate, which physical properties of bladder tissue influence invasion and which signals make tumours more aggressive. Experts in bladder cancer, tissue engineering, cancer biology and advanced laboratory modelling will study both the biological and mechanical aspects of muscle invasion and create a platform for testing potential ways of blocking it.

By revealing the factors driving this critical stage in bladder cancer, the project may identify markers of disease progression and potential therapeutic targets. This would help improve treatment decisions and outcomes for people with bladder cancer and possibly other tumours that invade hollow organs.

• Pere Roca-Cusachs, Fundació Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya, Spain

Dissecting the mechanisms involved in the Epithelial Cancer-Smooth Muscle Cross Talk

€888,950.00