Altered RB expression is a prognostic clinical marker involved in human bladder tumorigenesis

We are now beginning to understand the development of bladder cancer at the molecular level. Tumor evolution involves the interaction of both oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes. One of the key tumor suppressor genes in this process is the retinoblastoma (RB) gene. Much has been learned recently about the role of this gene in the tumor progression and prognosis of bladder cancer, although several questions are still unanswered. The progress made on this subject in our laboratory as well as others will be the focus of this report.