Cell-free RNA profiling uncovers non-canonical circulating D2 transcript elevation in Bladder Cancer plasma

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biochemistry

Background:

• D2 overexpression is linked to metabolic reprogramming in malignancies.
• Thyroid Hormone (TH) activation is influenced by D2 in cancer.
• Liquid biopsy using circulating cell-free RNA (cfRNA) enables non-invasive gene expression profiling.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate circulating D2 transcript levels in bladder cancer (BLCA).
• To assess D2 as a potential biomarker for BLCA detection and monitoring.
• To explore the relationship between D2 expression and other urothelial and EMT markers.

Main Methods:

• Analysis of 54 plasma samples from BLCA patients and healthy controls.
• Quantification of circulating D2 transcripts using modified RNA isolation techniques.
• Assessment of urothelial markers (GATA3, UPK3A) and EMT markers (E-Cadherin, N-Cadherin, Vimentin) in plasma.

Main Results:

• D2 transcripts were significantly elevated in BLCA patients compared to controls.
• Expression of GATA3, UPK3A, and EMT markers was also increased in BLCA plasma.
• D2 expression showed independent variation from GATA3 and UPK3A.

Conclusions:

• Circulating D2 is elevated in BLCA patients and reflects tumor-specific transcriptional changes.
• D2 may serve as a complementary, non-invasive biomarker for BLCA molecular profiling.
• Further research is needed to establish the diagnostic utility and clinical application of D2.