Translational bladder cancer research: From disease discovery to personalized therapy stratification with patient-derived organoids

Bladder cancer is a common form of cancer, with over 610,000 new cases worldwide in 2022. It is more prevalent in men, making it the sixth most common cancer in men. The primary risk factor is smoking. A common symptom is painless blood in the urine, often leading to a diagnosis after a visual examination of the bladder.

Bladder cancer can be divided into different types, including non-muscle-invasive, muscle-invasive, and metastatic bladder cancer. Chemotherapy and immunotherapy are commonly used treatments, but not all patients respond equally well. This is because bladder cancer is genetically complex and mutates rapidly.

In this research, we have explored new methods to study and treat bladder cancer. We have used organoids, small 3D models of tumours that resemble the original tumour. These models help us better understand how tumours respond to treatments. We have also looked at new biological indicators that can help in detecting and characterizing tumours.

One key finding is that we can use urine to create organoids, which is less burdensome for patients. This allows us to better monitor tumours during treatment. We have also investigated new imaging techniques that can help in detecting tumours that are otherwise difficult to find. Lastly, we researched how we can use the new organoid models to generate novel animal research models to translate research findings to the clinic.

Our research contributes to a better understanding of bladder cancer and the possibilities to treat patients more effectively.