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Advances in Treatment of Bladder Cancer

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 30 June 2026 | Viewed by 908

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
KU Leuven–University Hospital Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
Interests: urolithiasis; ureterorenoscopy; percutaneous nephrolithotomy; bladder cancer; radical cystectomy; transurethral resection; TURBT; prostate cancer; renal cancer

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Guest Editor
Department of Urology, Policlinico San Martino Hospital, University of Genova, 16132 Genova, Italy
Interests: urologic surgery; laparoscopic surgery; robotic urologic surgery; urogenital trauma; genitourinary surgery
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Collection explores the latest breakthroughs in bladder cancer research, diagnosis, and treatment. With bladder cancer presenting unique clinical challenges, the need for innovative approaches has never been more pressing. This collection welcomes contributions that shed light on the evolving biological, molecular, and clinical landscape of bladder cancer, offering insights that promise to revolutionize patient care.

Aims and Scope

Bladder cancer remains one of the most prevalent malignancies affecting the urinary tract, and its management is rapidly advancing through novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. This Special Collection aims to highlight pioneering research that includes, but is not limited to, the following focal areas: 

Novel Diagnostic Biomarkers: Studies unveiling new biomarkers that enable earlier detection, more precise diagnoses, and improved stratification of bladder cancer subtypes. 

Innovative Therapeutic Approaches: Research on targeted therapies, advancements in surgery, immunotherapy or chemotherapy, and personalized treatment regimens that address the heterogeneity of bladder cancer. 

Molecular Mechanisms and Genomics: Investigations into the genetic and molecular underpinnings of bladder cancer, elucidating pathways that drive tumor development and progression. 

Integration of Multi-Omics Data: Articles that integrate genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and other -omics technologies to develop comprehensive profiles of bladder cancer, paving the way for precision medicine. 

Significance and Future Directions

Advances in bladder cancer research are poised to transform clinical practice by enabling earlier diagnosis, improving prognostic accuracy, and tailoring treatments to individual patients. The integration of novel biomarkers and multi-omics strategies holds promise not only for enhanced therapeutic efficacy but also for minimizing adverse effects. As our understanding of the disease deepens, this collection will serve as a platform to discuss innovative approaches that bridge the gap between bench research and bedside application. 

By supporting this collection, the journal reinforces its commitment to SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and the advancement of clinical practice in oncology. All manuscripts will undergo a rigorous peer review process in line with our editorial policies, ensuring the integrity and quality of the published research. We invite researchers, clinicians, and allied professionals to contribute their original work and reviews, helping to shape the future landscape of bladder cancer management.

We look forward to receiving your submissions and to fostering a rich dialogue on the cutting-edge developments in bladder cancer research and treatment.

Dr. Murat Akand
Dr. Guglielmo Mantica
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • bladder cancer
  • diagnostic biomarkers
  • genomics
  • therapeutic approaches

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Published Papers (1 paper)

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Research

16 pages, 2001 KB  
Article
Role of Spatial Heterogeneity in Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer on Overall Survival and Immunotherapy Response
by Arjun Venkatesh, Reynier D. Rodriguez Rosales, Jean-Pierre Kanumuambidi, Yudai Ishiyama, Mohammed Al-Toubat, Hunter Sceats, Thomas D. Metzner, Shelby Sparks, Nicole Murray, Mark Bandyk and K. C. Balaji
Cancers 2026, 18(5), 875; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers18050875 - 9 Mar 2026
Viewed by 595
Abstract
Purpose: Tumor location influences survival in bladder cancer, potentially due to genetic heterogeneity driven by distinct embryological origins and structural compositions. We investigate location-specific somatic gene alterations (GAs) and their potential clinical implications in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Methods: We explored the role [...] Read more.
Purpose: Tumor location influences survival in bladder cancer, potentially due to genetic heterogeneity driven by distinct embryological origins and structural compositions. We investigate location-specific somatic gene alterations (GAs) and their potential clinical implications in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC). Methods: We explored the role of the intra-bladder tumor location in determining survival and underlying genetic alterations in MIBC patients using multiple large independent databases. We analyzed the tumor location’s impact on survival using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and validated these findings using cBioPortal (CBP), which also contains gene sequencing data, enabling a comparison of GA frequency by tumor location. We investigated GA combinations to identify potential synthetic lethal (SL) combinations and co-occurrence signatures for survival prediction. Using the ROC Plotter database, we explored how significantly altered genes affect the response to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI). Results: An analysis of 6712 SEER and 570 CBP patients revealed significant (p < 0.001) differences in overall survival stratified by tumor location, with trigone tumors showing the worst survival. Genomic analysis identified 35 genes with location-specific alteration frequencies. Three of these genes, CDKN2A, SPTAN1, and BIRC6, were significantly predictive of ICI response, and three genes were uniquely associated with a specific location: BPTF (anterior wall), RYR1, and OBSCN (dome). Furthermore, we identified 349 SL pairs from the 35 significantly altered genes, and a co-occurrence analysis revealed two novel gene pairs associated with improved survival. Conclusions: Intra-bladder tumor location determines survival and distinct genetic profiles in MIBC. These location-specific alterations predict ICI response and identify novel synthetic lethal targets, guiding precision oncology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Advances in Treatment of Bladder Cancer)
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