Search research articles

ABOUT JoVE

Overview Leadership Blog JoVE Help Center

AUTHORS

Publishing Process Editorial Board Scope & Policies Peer Review FAQ Submit

LIBRARIANS

Testimonials Subscriptions Access Resources Library Advisory Board FAQ

RESEARCH

JoVE Journal Methods Collections JoVE Encyclopedia of Experiments Archive

EDUCATION

JoVE Core JoVE Business JoVE Science Education JoVE Lab Manual Faculty Resource Center Faculty Site

Terms & Conditions of Use

Related Concept Videos

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

Microbiota of the Urogenital Tract

The human urogenital system, once thought to be sterile in healthy individuals, is now recognized as a complex microbial habitat. Advancements in molecular sequencing techniques have revealed that even in healthy adults, the kidneys and bladder harbor microbial populations similar to those found in the distal urethra, albeit in much lower abundance. These resident microorganisms, while generally innocuous, can become opportunistic pathogens under conditions that alter the urogenital...

Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History

Nursing Assessment of the Genitourinary System I: Health History

The genitourinary system is critical to maintaining fluid balance, waste elimination, and reproductive function. Nurses play a vital role in assessing this system, beginning with a thorough health history. This process involves gathering patient information, identifying risk factors, and recognizing symptoms of genitourinary disorders. Early detection is vital for timely interventions and management.1. Gathering Patient InformationA complete health history includes the patient’s personal,...

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Introduction to the Human Microbiota

Microorganisms colonize various regions of the human body, including the mouth, nasal passages, throat, stomach, intestines, urogenital tract, and skin. The total number of microbial cells is estimated to range from 10¹³ to 10¹⁴—comparable to, or exceeding, the number of human somatic cells. This host–microbiome relationship has led to the conceptualization of humans as supraorganisms, wherein microbial communities perform vital roles in development, immunity, and disease...

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

Urinary Tract Infection II: Pathophysiology

The pathophysiology of urinary tract infections (UTIs) encompasses several progressive stages, beginning with bacterial colonization and culminating in potential systemic complications if untreated. UTIs are primarily initiated by bacteria, such as Escherichia coli, which often originate from the gastrointestinal tract and migrate to the urinary system through the periurethral area. This migration can occur via several routes, including improper hygiene practices, sexual activity, or...

The Tumor Microenvironment

The Tumor Microenvironment

Every normal cell or tissue is embedded in a complex local environment called stroma, consisting of different cell types, a basal membrane, and blood vessels. As normal cells mutate and develop into cancer cells, their local environment also changes to allow cancer progression. The tumor microenvironment (TME) consists of a complex cellular matrix of stromal cells and the developing tumor. The cross-talk between cancer cells and surrounding stromal cells is critical to disrupt normal tissue...

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

Dysbiosis of the Gut Microbiota

The human gut microbiome includes a diverse array of microbial species, including beneficial commensals and opportunistic pathogens, which interact to support host health. These microbes contribute to essential functions such as nutrient metabolism, immune system modulation, and maintenance of intestinal barrier integrity. However, disruptions to this equilibrium—referred to as dysbiosis—can have widespread physiological consequences.Dysbiosis is often characterized by reduced microbial...

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by

Same author

Successful Treatment of Primary Mediastinal Seminoma With Radiotherapy Following Chemotherapy Under a Bloodless Treatment Policy Based on Patient's Religious Sentiments.

IJU case reports·2026

Same author

Peripheral B-cell receptor repertoire predicts immune-related adverse events following immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy in advanced renal cell carcinoma.

Scientific reports·2026

Same author

Acute Cardiac Tamponade Following Enfortumab Vedotin Initiation in Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: Successful Rescue by Pericardial Fenestration.

IJU case reports·2026

Same author

Development and Evaluation of an Ergonomically Optimized Scope-Holder for Flexible Endoscopy (With Video).

Digestive endoscopy : official journal of the Japan Gastroenterological Endoscopy Society·2026

Same author

The benefit of robotic gastrectomy in minimally invasive surgery for elderly patients: a propensity score-matched analysis.

Surgery today·2026

Same author

Adrenal Primary Ganglioneuroblastoma Presenting in Adulthood: A Case Report.

IJU case reports·2026

Search research articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples

Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples

Published on: January 5, 2017

Microbiome-Driven Carcinogenesis and Circulating Microbial Signals in Genitourinary Cancers.

Atsunari Kawashima¹, Kentaro Jingushi², Takuro Saito³

¹Department of Urology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Osaka, Osaka, Japan.

|June 23, 2026

Summary

The gut microbiome influences genitourinary cancers like urothelial carcinoma and renal cell carcinoma. Circulating microbial signals in extracellular vesicles may predict immunotherapy response.

Keywords:

extracellular vesicles immunotherapy liquid biopsy microbiome urothelial carcinoma

More Related Videos

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues

Published on: October 23, 2021

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Jun 24, 2026

Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples

Cell-Free DNA Integrity Analysis in Urine Samples

Published on: January 5, 2017

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues

Characterization and Functional Prediction of Bacteria in Ovarian Tissues

Published on: October 23, 2021

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues

Published on: September 8, 2015

Area of Science:

Microbiology
Oncology
Immunology

Background:

The microbiome's role in cancer is established in some cancers but less defined in genitourinary (GU) cancers.
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized cancer treatment, with microbiome influencing response.

Purpose of the Study:

To review the influence of microbiome-related pathways on urothelial carcinoma (UC) and renal cell carcinoma (RCC).
To explore the connection between gut microbial environments, carcinogenesis, and ICI outcomes in GU cancers.

Main Methods:

Review of preclinical studies using N-butyl-N-(4-hydroxybutyl) nitrosamine mouse models for urothelial carcinogenesis.
Analysis of emerging clinical data on circulating extracellular vesicle (EV)-associated bacterial DNA in UC and RCC patients.

Main Results:

Preclinical models demonstrate gut microbiota can causally affect urothelial carcinogenesis via metabolism and inflammation.
Circulating EV-associated bacterial DNA correlates with tumor immune phenotypes and ICI response in UC and RCC.

Conclusions:

Microbiome-related signals link gut ecology, systemic immunity, tumor microenvironment, and treatment response in GU cancers.
Circulating EV-associated bacterial DNA is a promising, albeit exploratory, biomarker platform for GU cancers and immunotherapy.