title: The interplay of extracellular matrix and microbiome in urothelial bladder cancer.
abstract: Many pathological changes in solid tumours are caused by the accumulation of genetic mutations and epigenetic molecular alterations. In addition, tumour progression is profoundly influenced by the environment surrounding the transformed cells. The interplay between tumour cells and their microenvironment has been recognized as one of the key determinants of cancer development and is being extensively investigated. Data suggest that both the extracellular matrix and the microbiota represent microenvironments that contribute to the onset and progression of tumours. Through the introduction of omics technologies and pyrosequencing analyses, a detailed investigation of these two microenvironments is now possible. In urological research, assessment of their dysregulation has become increasingly important to provide diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarkers for urothelial bladder cancer. Understanding the roles of the extracellular matrix and microbiota, two key components of the urothelial mucosa, in the sequelae of pathogenic events that occur in the development and progression of urothelial carcinomas will be important to overcome the shortcomings in current bladder cancer treatment strategies.
authors.affiliation: Division of Experimental Oncology/Unit of Urology, URI, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Alfano
authors.affiliation: Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Insubria, Via Dunant 3, 21100 Varese, Italy.
authors.forename: Filippo
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Canducci
authors.affiliation: Pathology Unit, Department of Clinical Sciences, L. Sacco Hospital, Università degli Studi di Milano, Via Giovanni Battista Grassi 74, 20157 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Manuela
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Nebuloni
authors.affiliation: Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Clementi
authors.affiliation: Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Montorsi
authors.affiliation: Università Vita-Salute San Raffaele, Via Olgettina 60, 20132 Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Salonia
mesh_terms: D018450:Disease Progression; D005109:Extracellular Matrix / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D064307:Microbiota; D059016:Tumor Microenvironment; D001749:Urinary Bladder Neoplasms / Q000382:microbiology*; D019459:Urothelium / Q000378:metabolism