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Targeting molecular aberrations in urothelial carcinoma: are we almost there?
Andrea B Apolo1, David J Kwiatkowski
1From the Medical Oncology Branch, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD; the Translational Medicine Division, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA.
Abstract:
Advances in tumor biology and cancer genetics have led to the development of effective targeted therapies in oncology over the past decade. However, targeted drug development for urothelial carcinoma has been slower than for some other malignancies. The path forward in drug development is through a better understanding of the aberrant pathways driving urothelial tumor development. Steady progress has been made in the characterization of genomic alterations in urothelial carcinoma. The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project is well underway in the analysis of a large set of urothelial cancer specimens using multiple approaches and technologies. In addition, there are already many well-established mutations and genetic alterations in urothelial carcinoma that likely contribute in an important way to tumor development. In addition, urothelial cancer genome-wide association studies have identified common variants associated with urothelial cancer risk and protein expression that can potentially be therapeutically targeted. Furthermore, the MET pathway has emerged as an exciting target in multiple tumors, including urothelial carcinoma. Our knowledge of how to clinically target many emerging molecular aberrations in urothelial cancer is still in the early stages of development. However, there is much promise in the ongoing research being conducted in urothelial cancer molecular pathogenesis.
Insights
Targeted drug development for urothelial carcinoma is advancing through understanding its molecular pathogenesis. Ongoing research into genomic alterations and pathways like MET shows promise for future cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Genetics
- Molecular Pathogenesis
Background:
- Targeted therapies have advanced cancer treatment, but development for urothelial carcinoma lags.
- Understanding aberrant pathways driving urothelial tumors is crucial for drug development.
- Genomic alterations significantly contribute to urothelial carcinoma development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review progress in understanding urothelial carcinoma molecular pathogenesis.
- To highlight key genomic alterations and pathways for targeted therapy development.
- To discuss the potential of emerging molecular targets in urothelial cancer.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) data for urothelial cancer specimens.
- Review of established mutations and genetic alterations in urothelial carcinoma.
- Examination of genome-wide association studies for urothelial cancer risk and protein expression.
Main Results:
- Significant progress in characterizing genomic alterations in urothelial carcinoma.
- Identification of established mutations and genetic alterations driving tumor development.
- Emergence of the MET pathway as a promising therapeutic target.
Conclusions:
- Further understanding of molecular pathogenesis is key to advancing urothelial carcinoma drug development.
- Genomic alterations and pathways like MET offer potential therapeutic targets.
- Despite early stages, research in urothelial cancer molecular pathogenesis holds significant promise.
