A molecular landscape tracking the progression of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

We aim to report transcriptomic biomarkers derived from available open-access studies that can reliably monitor the progression of bladder tumors from non-invasive (non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer, NMIBC) to invasive stages (muscle-invasive bladder cancer, MIBC) of bladder cancer, as well as within the different stages of NMIBC. These biomarkers hold exciting potential for use in clinical settings, offering valuable insights for both diagnosis and prognosis. A comprehensive literature review on bladder cancer studies was conducted in primary bibliographic databases, selecting gene expression studies that illustrate bladder tumor progression, either alone or within gene-set datasets. A plethora of dysregulated gene expression signatures guide the evolution of bladder cancer through its progressive forms and predict the oncological outcomes for cancer patients. The oncotarget genes and abnormalities in the mitotic spindle play a significant role in promoting tumor development and progression. At the cellular level, substantial tumor morphological changes in the urothelium and extracellular matrix support this process. The molecular snapshot of biomarkers reflects the heterogeneity of bladder tumors during their progression. Despite this relevance, none of these biomarkers has yet been implemented in the clinical management of bladder cancer. However, this evidence supports their potential future clinical utility for stratifying bladder cancer patients and aiding the development of targeted drug therapies.