Background 

Bladder cancer is not just one single disease—it includes several different types that can behave very differently. Some forms of bladder cancer are easier to treat and often lead to good outcomes. Others, however, are much harder to treat and may result in the need to remove the bladder or can even lead to death. Because bladder cancer varies so much from person to person, finding treatments that work for everyone has been a major challenge. 

What the Study Proposes to Address 

Researchers have learned that the different types of bladder cancer likely develop because of unique changes, or mutations, in the cancer’s genes. These genetic changes affect how the cancer grows, spreads, and responds to treatment. The goal of this study is to better understand these differences and to use that knowledge to design treatments that are personalized for each patient—a method known as “precision medicine.” 

To do this, the research team is developing ways to quickly study the many genetic changes that can occur in bladder cancer. They want to understand how each specific change influences the disease and how it responds to different drugs. By building this understanding, scientists can match patients with treatments that directly target their cancer’s unique features. 

Why This Research is Important 

This project is an important step toward more personalized and effective care for people with bladder cancer. By identifying the exact genetic changes that drive each person’s cancer, doctors can select treatments that are more likely to work and cause fewer side effects. The study brings together experts from many fields—including cancer researchers, pathologists, urologists, and oncologists—who are working as a team to move these discoveries from the lab to the clinic. Their goal is to improve how bladder cancer is diagnosed and treated, so that every patient receives care that is tailored to their specific disease and has the best possible chance for recovery. 

Final Report Summary 

Bladder cancer is a serious disease that affects nearly 80,000 people in the United States each year and causes about 17,000 deaths. Even though it’s common, it hasn’t received as much research attention as other cancers. Recent studies have found that in about 85% of aggressive bladder cancers, certain genes that control how DNA is packaged and read—called chromatin remodeling genes—are damaged or changed. However, scientists still don’t fully understand how these gene changes affect the way bladder cancer starts, grows, or responds to treatment. 

Researchers from Columbia University Medical Center and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center are working together to study how these faulty genes influence bladder cancer. Their goal is to figure out how these genetic changes drive cancer development and affect how well treatments work. To do this, they are using advanced tools like lab-grown human cancer cells, mice specially designed to develop bladder cancer, and small lab-grown samples made from real patients’ tumors, known as organoids. By comparing results across these models, the team hopes to uncover how these genes make cancer behave differently and how they might be used to improve treatment. 

Understanding how these damaged genes work could lead to new and better ways to treat bladder cancer. Right now, treatment options are often limited, especially for aggressive cases. This research could help scientists find new drug targets and help doctors choose treatments that work best for each patient. Ultimately, the goal is to improve the lives and outcomes of people with bladder cancer. 

None Reported as of August 2025

None Reported as of August 2025

Michael Shen, PhD; Columbia University