Urinary System Cancer
Urinary system cancers encompass a wide range of malignant lesions affecting the urinary tract. Among these, bladder cancer is the most prevalent. At our company, we specialize in providing cutting-edge services for the development of diagnostics and therapies for urinary system cancer.
Overview of Urinary System Cancer
Urinary system cancer refers to the abnormal and uncontrolled growth of cells in the urinary tract. The urinary tract is lined by specialized epithelial cells known as urothelial cells or transitional cells. The majority of urinary system cancers, over 90%, are transitional cell carcinomas (TCC) or urothelial carcinomas (UC). However, other types such as squamous cell carcinoma, small cell carcinoma, and adenocarcinoma can also occur, albeit less frequently.
Pathogenesis of Urinary System Cancer
- Cigarette Smoking: Smoking is the strongest risk factor, implicated in about 60% of bladder cancer cases. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke can accumulate in the urine and directly affect the bladder lining.
- Occupational Exposures: Certain occupations, such as workers in chemical and textile industries, are associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer due to exposure to carcinogenic substances.
- Radiation Exposure: Prior radiation therapy, particularly in the pelvic area, can elevate the risk of developing urinary system cancer.
Fig.1 Cancer period prevalence according to each location within the urinary system. (Ghamari, Zahra Tolou., 2019)Biomarker Development for Urinary System Cancer
Non-Invasive Biomarkers
Urine-based biomarkers have emerged as valuable non-invasive tools for detecting and monitoring urinary system cancer. For instance, the detection of specific genetic mutations, such as FGFR3 and TERT promoter mutations, in urine samples, has shown promising diagnostic potential. These biomarkers can help identify high-risk individuals and aid in early intervention.
Circulating Biomarkers
Blood-based circulating biomarkers, such as circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) and circulating tumor cells (CTCs), offer insights into the genetic alterations and molecular profile of urinary system cancers. Analysis of ctDNA can provide information about tumor heterogeneity, treatment response, and the emergence of drug resistance. CTCs can aid in identifying minimal residual disease and predicting disease recurrence.
Proteomic Biomarkers
Proteomic analysis allows for the identification of proteins that are differentially expressed in urinary system cancer. By analyzing the proteome of tumor tissues or bodily fluids, such as urine or blood, specific protein signatures can be established. These signatures can potentially serve as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers.
Our Services
Biomarker development is a rapidly growing field, and at our company, we leverage our expertise in molecular diagnostics to provide professional biomarker development services. At the same time, our diversified therapy development platform can meet your comprehensive needs in urinary system cancer research.
Types of Urinary System Cancers
Therapy Development Platforms
To better understand the mechanisms of urinary system cancer and assess the efficacy of potential therapies, we specialize in the development and utilization of relevant animal models. These models allow us to simulate the disease progression and evaluate the safety and efficacy of novel interventions.
If you are interested in our services, please feel free to contact us for more details and quotation information of related services.
References
- Ghamari, Zahra Tolou. "Cancers of urinary system; prevalence, demographic." Jundishapur Journal of Chronic Disease Care 8.4 (2019).
- Xiao, Yingming, et al. "Progress and application of intelligent nanomedicine in urinary system tumors." Journal of Pharmaceutical Analysis (2024): 100964.
All of our services and products are intended for preclinical research use only and cannot be used to diagnose, treat or manage patients.