Bladder cancer refers to any of several types of malignant growths of the urinary bladder. Superficial transitional cell carcinoma of the urinary bladder account for more than 70% of all newly diagnosed bladder cancer cases. Superficial bladder cancer includes non-invasive papillary carcinoma, superficial invasive carcinoma, and carcinoma in situ (CIS). With an estimated incidence of > 110.000 cases in 2004, bladder cancer is the second-most urogenital malignancy prevalent, resulting in > 35.000 deaths per year (1). It is estimated that approximately US$2.9 billion is spent in the United States each year on the treatment of bladder cancer with comparable figures for Europe.
Early detection is extremely crucial, as the treatment of bladder cancer depends on how deep the tumor invades into the bladder wall. Superficial tumours (those not entering the muscle layer) can be "shaved off" using an electrocautery device attached to a cystoscope. Additionally, immunotherapy is effective in up to 2/3 of the cases at this stage.
It is as well of utmost importance to improve treatment for late-stage bladder cancer by developing agents that target cancer growth and progression pathways without jeopardizing organ function or quality of life. The characterisation of the molecular and cellular pathways in bladder cancer cells and their microenvironment will generate new knowledge to develop and validate molecular targets for prevention and treatment of specific subtypes of bladder cancer.
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