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Metabolic Reprogramming in the Bladder Cancer Microenvironment: Bridging Fundamental Research and Therapeutic Avenues
Ana Silva1,2, Fátima Baltazar1,2, Julieta Afonso1,2
1Life and Health Sciences Research Institute (ICVS), University of Minho, Campus of Gualtar, Braga, Portugal.
Advances in Experimental Medicine and Biology
|July 11, 2026
Summary
Bladder cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) fuel tumor growth and resistance by altering cancer cell metabolism. Understanding this metabolic interplay is key to developing new bladder cancer therapies.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Cancer Biology
- Metabolic Reprogramming
Background:
- Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignancy with high recurrence and poor prognosis in advanced stages.
- Cancer and stromal cells in the BC microenvironment reprogram metabolism for growth and survival, aiding drug resistance.
- Bladder cancer-associated fibroblasts (BCAFs) are crucial stromal cells influencing BC progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the origin, development, function, and therapeutic potential of BCAFs.
- To highlight the metabolic interplay and mutual modulation between BCAFs and BC cells.
Main Methods:
- Literature review of current knowledge on BCAFs and their role in bladder cancer.
- Focus on metabolic reprogramming and crosstalk within the tumor microenvironment.
Main Results:
- BCAFs significantly impact BC development and progression.
- BCAFs alter nutrient availability and facilitate metabolic crosstalk with cancer cells.
- BCAFs secrete factors promoting tumor growth, immune modulation, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
Conclusions:
- BCAFs are key players in bladder cancer progression through metabolic reprogramming and crosstalk.
- Targeting the metabolic interplay between BCAFs and BC cells offers potential therapeutic strategies.
Keywords:
Bladder cancer microenvironmentCancer-associated fibroblastsLactate Monocarboxylate transportersMetabolic reprogrammingTherapeutic targeting of stromaMore Related Videos
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