Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 30, 2026
08:39
Culture of Bladder Cancer Organoids as Precision Medicine Tools
Published on: December 28, 2021
5.4K
Field-effect-informed urine liquid biopsy for bladder cancer
William Y Shi1, Kevin J Liu1, Mohammad S Esfahani2
1Stanford Cancer Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Department of Radiation Oncology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Program in Cancer Biology, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
Cell
|January 28, 2026
Summary
Identifying biomarkers for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is crucial. A new urine tumor DNA (utDNA) method improves accuracy by accounting for the field effect, enabling personalized treatment strategies for NMIBC patients.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) treatment response varies, and reliable biomarkers are needed.
- Intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is a standard therapy, but not all patients benefit.
- Urine tumor DNA (utDNA) analysis shows promise but is limited by field effects from normal urothelium mutations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop an improved utDNA minimal residual disease (MRD) approach to enhance specificity by excluding field-effect mutations.
- To identify molecular predictors of response to surgery and adjuvant BCG in NMIBC patients.
- To explore the potential of field-effect-informed liquid biopsy for personalized bladder cancer therapy.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of somatic mutations in urine DNA from 261 NMIBC patients.
- Development of a field-effect-informed utDNA MRD approach.
- Correlation of molecular profiles with treatment response (surgery and BCG).
Main Results:
- The prevalence of somatic mutations in urine increases with age.
- The field-effect-informed MRD approach improved specificity.
- Three molecular response classes were identified: surgical responders, BCG responders, and non-responders.
- Distinct molecular predictors for surgery and BCG response were found, including immune activation and mutation burden for BCG responders.
Conclusions:
- Field-effect-informed liquid biopsy offers a more specific approach for NMIBC management.
- Personalized treatment strategies can be guided by identifying distinct molecular response classes.
- This method can uncover biomarkers for multimodal bladder cancer treatments.
Related Concept Videos
01:32Filtration and Urine Formation
53.6K
The function of the kidneys is to filter, reabsorb, secrete, and excrete. Every day the kidneys filter nearly 180 liters of blood, initially removing water and solutes but ultimately returning nearly all filtrates into circulation with the help of osmoregulatory hormones. This process removes wastes and toxins but is also crucial to maintain water and electrolyte levels. Most of these functions are performed by the tiny but numerous nephrons contained within the kidneys.
53.6K
01:26Urine Studies II: Urine Culture and Sensitivity Test
1.1K
A urine culture and sensitivity test is a diagnostic procedure used to identify urinary tract bacterial infections and determine the most effective antibiotics for treatment. This test is generally preferred when a patient shows manifestations of a urinary tract infection, such as frequent or painful urination, cloudy or foul-smelling urine, or lower abdominal pain.Purpose of the TestThe primary goals of a urine culture and sensitivity test are to:Determine the specific bacteria causing the...
1.1K
01:23Urinary Bladder
3.4K
The urinary bladder is a hollow, muscular sac that temporarily stores urine before it is expelled from the body. It can hold approximately 600 mL of urine prior to micturition. The bladder is retroperitoneal and located behind the pubic symphysis in the pelvic floor.
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
In males, the bladder is situated in front of the rectum, while in females, it is positioned anterior to the vagina and uterus. The bladder floor contains an inverted triangular area called the trigone, defined by the two ureteric...
3.4K
01:24Physiology of Urine Formation
12.5K
Urine formation is an essential function of the human body. It plays a critical role in maintaining homeostasis by regulating the volume and composition of body fluids. The kidneys, the primary organs involved in this process, filter blood to remove waste products and excess substances, ultimately producing urine.
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
Glomerular Filtration
The first stage in urine formation is glomerular filtration. Each kidney contains approximately 1 million nephrons, the functional units of filtration, with a...
12.5K
01:23Formation of Concentrated Urine
3.5K
There is a gradient of solutes in the interstitial fluid from the renal cortex through the medulla, known as the medullary osmotic gradient. The juxtamedullary nephrons establish and maintain this gradient using countercurrent mechanisms with loops extending deep into the medulla. These nephrons also use countercurrent mechanisms to regulate urine volume and concentration. The interaction between the descending and ascending limbs of the nephron loop creates an osmotic gradient through...
3.5K
01:29Urine Studies I: Urinalysis
1.4K
Urinalysis is a widely used diagnostic test that analyzes urine's physical, chemical, and microscopic characteristics. Healthcare providers use it to detect and monitor various health conditions, including renal disease, urinary tract infections (UTIs), diabetes, and metabolic or systemic disorders.Components of UrinalysisUrinalysis consists of three primary components: physical, chemical, and microscopic examination. Each provides unique insights into the urine sample and, by extension, the...
1.4K