Bladder cancer is one of the ten most common cancers worldwide. The main treatment currently is surgery to remove the bladder. Despite new treatments, this cancer often returns, especially in its aggressive forms. Because of this, scientists are looking for better and less invasive treatments.
A study from the D’Or Institute for Research and Education (IDOR), published in Biochemical Genetics, found that blocking a small molecule called miR-21 could stop bladder cancer cells from growing and spreading. This finding may help develop new, more precise treatments in the future.
What is miR-21? It is a type of molecule called microRNA. MicroRNAs control which genes are turned on or off. miR-21, when overly active, helps many cancers grow. It does this by turning off genes that normally slow down cell growth.
The researchers studied what happens when miR-21 is turned off in bladder cancer cells in the lab. They looked at a gene named RECK, which helps stop cancer growth. Normally, too much miR-21 turns off RECK, allowing cancer to grow and spread. When miR-21 was blocked, RECK levels rose and cancer growth slowed. Also, levels of an enzyme called MMP9, which helps cancer spread, were reduced.
To support their findings, the scientists checked patient data in a public genetic database called CancerMIRNome. They confirmed that miR-21 is much higher in bladder cancer tissue than in healthy tissue. This suggests miR-21 could be used not only as a treatment target but also as a marker to diagnose bladder cancer.
These tests were done on bladder cancer cells in the lab. More research in animal models and clinical trials is needed. However, this work opens the door to new treatments that might avoid risky surgeries. It gives hope for better, kinder treatment options for patients with aggressive bladder cancer.
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