Why early bladder cancer becomes invasive and who is at higher risk
Project 2
This project looks for the specific tumor and supporting cell types that make early (non‑muscle‑invasive) bladder cancer become invasive, to help predict which patients are at higher risk.
Quick facts
| Grant type | NIH-funded research |
|---|---|
| Study type | NIH-funded research |
| Funding institution | Methodist Hospital Research Institute NIH-funded |
| Lab location | 1 site (Houston, United States) |
| Project ID | NIH-11192231 on NIH RePORTER |
What this research studies
Researchers analyze tumor samples using single‑nucleus RNA sequencing and spatial profiling to identify distinct cancer and fibroblast cell populations. They compare gene signatures from hundreds of non‑muscle‑invasive tumors and larger datasets of invasive bladder cancer to find which cell types link to progression and survival. The team focuses on cancer‑associated fibroblasts (especially FAP+ fibroblasts) that appear next to a particular malignant epithelial population and studies how these cells communicate. Results will be used to develop markers that could sort patients by progression risk and point to possible therapeutic targets.
Who could benefit from this research
Good fit: People with non‑muscle‑invasive bladder cancer, especially those who can provide tumor tissue or who are treated at participating centers, would be most relevant to this work.
Not a fit: Patients without bladder cancer, or those whose disease is already muscle‑invasive with no available tumor tissue for analysis, are unlikely to directly benefit from this project.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If successful, this work could produce tests to better predict which non‑muscle‑invasive bladder cancers will become invasive and reveal new targets to stop that progression.
How similar studies have performed: Single‑cell and bulk RNA studies in cancer have revealed cell populations tied to outcomes, but applying these findings to predict NMIBC progression and pinpointing FAP+ fibroblasts as drivers is relatively new.
Where this research is happening
Houston, United States
- Methodist Hospital Research Institute — Houston, United States (Active)
Researchers
- Principal investigator: Theodorescu, Dan — Methodist Hospital Research Institute
- Study coordinator: Theodorescu, Dan
About this research
- This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
- Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
- For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.