Bladder cancer articles from across Nature Portfolio

Bladder cancer progression to microscopically distinct variants such as sarcomatoid, small cell, micropapillary and plasmacytoid is associated with more aggressive clinical behaviour than conventional carcinoma. Advances in molecular profiling led to the identification of molecular subtypes of bladder cancer and provided insights into disease progression to aggressive variants.

T cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment (TME) is a prerequisite for sustained antitumour immune responses. However, identifying predictive biomarkers that quantify T cell infiltration and the presence of proinflammatory TMEs associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response for clinical implementation has proved challenging. Here, we highlight a study that validates a T cell-to-stroma enrichment score generated from RNA sequencing data as a novel biomarker for ICI response in patients with urothelial carcinoma.

Tumor associated macrophages (TAM) are playing an active role in tumor immune evasion in multiple cancer type. Here authors show that CD276 expression by TAMs may underpin this immune-suppressive role via promoting efferocytosis and suppressing MHC class II expression, which result in decreased CD4+ and CD8 + T cell infiltration.

Spatial positioning of cells within the tumour microenvironment may have a function in the success of immune checkpoint immunotherapy (ICI). Here the authors analyse spatial relationships from immunohistochemistry samples prior to ICI therapy and show that CD8 T cell or macrophage proximity to cancer cells is associated with better responses.

Detailed molecular studies are required to understand the differences between primary and metastatic upper tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC). Here, the authors use genomics, transcriptomics and imaging mass cytometry to characterise the molecular profiles of primary and metastatic UTUC, and find that molecular subtypes remain highly conserved.

Bladder cancer progression to microscopically distinct variants such as sarcomatoid, small cell, micropapillary and plasmacytoid is associated with more aggressive clinical behaviour than conventional carcinoma. Advances in molecular profiling led to the identification of molecular subtypes of bladder cancer and provided insights into disease progression to aggressive variants.

T cell infiltration in the tumour microenvironment (TME) is a prerequisite for sustained antitumour immune responses. However, identifying predictive biomarkers that quantify T cell infiltration and the presence of proinflammatory TMEs associated with immune-checkpoint inhibitor (ICI) response for clinical implementation has proved challenging. Here, we highlight a study that validates a T cell-to-stroma enrichment score generated from RNA sequencing data as a novel biomarker for ICI response in patients with urothelial carcinoma.

Durable responses with first-line platinum-based chemotherapy for advanced-stage urothelial carcinoma are rare, and patient outcomes are poor. Recently, CheckMate 901 became the first phase III trial to establish a significant overall survival benefit from a combined chemoimmunotherapy approach in this disease setting. Herein, we discuss key findings from CheckMate 901 and their implications in the context of a rapidly evolving treatment landscape.