Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 23, 2026

Culture of Bladder Cancer Organoids as Precision Medicine Tools
Published on: December 28, 2021
Long non-coding RNA DILC suppresses bladder cancer cells progression
Qian-Yun Ma1, Shu-Ying Li2, Xi-Zhou Li3
1Department of Urology surgery, First Affiliated Hospital of Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200433, China.
Abstract:
Accumulative researches have demonstrated the critical functions of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) in the progression of malignant tumors, including bladder cancer (BC). Our previous studies showed that lnc-DILC was an important tumor suppressor gene in both liver cancer and colorectal cancer. However, the role of lnc-DILC in BC remains to be elucidated. In the present study, we for first found that lnc-DILC was downregulated in human bladder cancer tissues. Lnc-DILC overexpression suppressed the proliferation, metastasis and expansion of bladder cancer stem cells (CSCs). Mechanically, lnc-DILC suppressed BC cells progression via STAT3 pathway. Special STAT3 inhibitor S3I-201 diminished the discrepancy of growth, metastasis and self-renewal ability between lnc-DILC-overexpression BC cells and their control cells, which further confirmed that STAT3 was acquired for lnc-DILC-disrupted BC cell growth, metastasis and self-renewal. Taken together, our results suggest that lnc-DILC is a novel bladder tumor suppressor and indicate that lnc-DILC inhibits BC progression via inactivating STAT3 signaling.
Insights
Long non-coding RNA DILC (lnc-DILC) acts as a tumor suppressor in bladder cancer (BC). Overexpression of lnc-DILC inhibits BC cell proliferation and metastasis by inactivating the STAT3 pathway.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) play crucial roles in various cancers, including bladder cancer (BC).
- Previous research identified lnc-DILC as a tumor suppressor in liver and colorectal cancers.
- The specific function of lnc-DILC in BC progression was previously unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of lnc-DILC in bladder cancer.
- To determine the underlying molecular mechanism of lnc-DILC's function in BC.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of lnc-DILC expression in human bladder cancer tissues.
- Overexpression of lnc-DILC in BC cells to assess effects on proliferation, metastasis, and cancer stem cells (CSCs).
- Utilizing a STAT3 inhibitor (S3I-201) to confirm the involvement of the STAT3 pathway.
Main Results:
- lnc-DILC was found to be downregulated in human bladder cancer tissues.
- Overexpression of lnc-DILC significantly suppressed BC cell proliferation, metastasis, and CSC expansion.
- Inhibition of the STAT3 pathway by lnc-DILC was confirmed using a specific STAT3 inhibitor, which reversed the suppressive effects.
Conclusions:
- lnc-DILC functions as a novel tumor suppressor in bladder cancer.
- lnc-DILC inhibits BC progression and metastasis by inactivating the STAT3 signaling pathway.
Related Concept Videos
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
lncRNA - Long Non-coding RNAs
mTOR Signaling and Cancer Progression
The mTOR pathway or the...
RNA Splicing
Ribosomal RNA Synthesis
Ribosome biogenesis begins with the synthesis of 5S and 45S pre-rRNAs by distinct RNA polymerases. The primary transcripts are extensively processed and modified before they are bound and folded by ribosomal proteins and assembly factors,...
Nursing Code of Ethics

