IBCN 2017: Keynote Lecture - Molecular Pathology in Bladder Cancer

Lisbon, Portugal (UroToday.com) Carlos Cordon-Cardo from Mount Sinai, New York, New York provided the keynote lecture entitled ‘Molecular Pathology in Bladder Cancer’. Bladder cancer historically had two pathways of tumor initiation which include low grade superficial papillary urothelial carcinoma and carcinoma in situ which may lead to development of muscle-invasive disease. Molecular characterization of these tumors support this concept. Like other organs the urinary bladder has polarity in cell layer which predominantly grow from basal to luminal with distinct characteristics between these layers. Another working hypothesis defines pleuropotency of stem cells within the bladder that differentiate into either tumor cell pathway. Proteomic analysis of bladder tumors have discerned HLA Class I and II antigens important in cell differentiation.

As such, expression of HLA A,B,C antigens on primary and metastatic tumor cell populations of human carcinomas. HLA negative cells are tumorigenic in vitro and in vivo. Moreover, epithelial to mesenchymal transition is being increasingly explored as well and in combination with HLA differentiated cells. Further research exploring the above concepts are underway and may improve our understanding of the molecular phenotypes in bladder cancer.

Speaker(s): Carlos Cordon-Cardo, Mount Sinai, New York, New York

Written by: Stephen B. Williams, M.D., Associate Professor, Division of Urology, The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston, TX. and Ashish M. Kamat, M.D. Professor, Department of Urology, Division of Surgery, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX., at the International Bladder Cancer Network - October 21, 2017- Lisbon, Portugal

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