Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 21, 2026

An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Genetic alterations and biological pathways in human bladder cancer pathogenesis
1University of Wisconsin, Comprehensive Cancer Center and Medical School, Departments of Human Oncology, Surgery and Biostatistics, 600 Highland Avenue 53792, Madison, WI, USA
Genetic alterations in bladder cancer vary by tumor type. Superficial papillary TCCs often show chromosome 9q loss early, while CIS and SCC have TP53 and CDKN2/p16 alterations, influencing cancer progression.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Cancer Genetics
Background:
- Human bladder cancers exhibit significant heterogeneity.
- Different subtypes, including papillary transitional cell carcinoma (TCC), carcinoma in situ (CIS), and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), display distinct clinical behaviors and progression patterns.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the genetic alterations associated with different subtypes of human bladder cancer.
- To correlate specific genetic changes with the initiation and progression of various bladder cancer manifestations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of genetic alterations, including chromosomal losses and gene mutations (TP53, CDKN2/16), in different bladder cancer subtypes.
- Comparison of genetic profiles between superficial papillary TCC, CIS, and SCC.
Main Results:
- Superficial papillary TCCs frequently exhibit early 9q chromosomal loss (approx. 67%), with rare TP53 or CDKN2/16 mutations.
- Bladder CIS and SCC show lower rates of 9q loss but high frequencies of TP53 alterations (approx. 65% for CIS) and CDKN2/p16 alterations (approx. 67% for SCC), respectively.
- These genetic alterations are linked to genome instability and cell growth regulation, correlating with aggressive phenotypes.
Conclusions:
- The predominant genetic alteration may serve as the initiating event in bladder cancer pathogenesis.
- Specific genetic alterations appear to determine the biological potential and clinical course of different bladder cancer subtypes.
Related Concept Videos
Cancers Originate from Somatic Mutations in a Single Cell
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...
Adaptive Mechanisms in Cancer Cells
Some of the advantages that cancer cells have on normal cells include - enhanced ability to divide without terminally differentiating, induce new blood vessel formation,...
Loss of Tumor Suppressor Gene Functions
When the tumor suppressor genes develop mutations or are lost, cells start growing out of control, leading to cancer. However, a single functional copy of the tumor suppressor gene is enough for the cells to maintain their normal functions and cell...
Cancer Prevention
Some...
The Retinoblastoma Gene
The first-ever tumor suppressor gene called Rb was identified in retinoblastoma - a rare eye tumor in children. In inherited forms of the disease, a child inherits one defective copy of the Rb gene, which predisposes them to retinoblastoma. However,...

