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Updated: Jul 7, 2026
An Orthotopic Bladder Cancer Model for Gene Delivery Studies
Published on: December 1, 2013
Novel therapeutic targets in bladder cancer: mutation and expression of FGF receptors
1Cancer Research UK Clinical Centre, Section of Oncology, Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, St James's University Hospital, Beckett Street, Leeds, LS9 7TF, UK. m.a.knowles@leeds.ac.uk
Abstract:
Bladder cancer presents several challenges in clinical management. For the large group of noninvasive tumors, key problems are the development of multiple recurrences that require long-term surveillance and a lack of effective therapies to prevent recurrence. For the smaller group of poor prognosis patients with invasive disease, novel therapies are urgently needed. The identification of mutations of FGF receptor 3 (FGFR3) in most noninvasive bladder tumors and the recent finding of overexpression of this receptor not only in superficial tumors but also in many invasive bladder cancers has generated optimism that therapies targeting this receptor tyrosine kinase may have major application in the treatment of urothelial cancers. There is little information on the other members of this receptor family apart from FGFR2, which is implicated as a tumor suppressor. Recent preclinical evaluations of FGFR3 as a therapeutic target have provided a strong impetus for the development of targeted agents for clinical use.
Insights
Targeting fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) offers new hope for bladder cancer treatment. Research indicates FGFR3 mutations and overexpression in bladder tumors, suggesting targeted therapies could prevent recurrence and treat invasive disease.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Urology
Background:
- Bladder cancer management faces challenges with noninvasive tumors causing recurrences and invasive tumors lacking effective therapies.
- Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) mutations are common in noninvasive bladder tumors.
- FGFR3 overexpression is observed in both superficial and invasive bladder cancers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore the therapeutic potential of targeting FGFR3 in urothelial cancers.
- To address the need for novel therapies for bladder cancer, particularly for recurrent and invasive forms.
Main Methods:
- Review of recent preclinical evaluations of FGFR3 as a therapeutic target.
- Analysis of the role of FGFR3 mutations and overexpression in bladder cancer development.
Main Results:
- FGFR3 mutations are identified in most noninvasive bladder tumors.
- FGFR3 is overexpressed in both superficial and invasive bladder cancers.
- Preclinical data support FGFR3 as a viable therapeutic target.
Conclusions:
- Targeting FGFR3 holds promise for treating urothelial cancers.
- Targeted therapies against FGFR3 may offer solutions for bladder cancer recurrence and invasive disease.
- Further development of FGFR3-targeted agents is warranted for clinical application.
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