Proteome‐based classification of Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer. Issue 1 (26th July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Stroggilos, Rafael; Mokou, Marika; Latosinska, Agnieszka; Makridakis, Manousos; Lygirou, Vasiliki; Mavrogeorgis, Emmanouil; Drekolias, Dimitrios; Frantzi, Maria; Mullen, William; Fragkoulis, Charalampos; Stasinopoulos, Konstantinos; Papadopoulos, Georgios; Stathouros, Georgios; Lazaris, Andreas C.; Makrythanasis, Periklis; Ntoumas, Konstantinos; Mischak, Harald; Zoidakis, Jerome; Vlahou, Antonia
• Is Part Of: International journal of cancer. Volume 146:Issue 1(2020)
• Page Start: 281
• Page End: 294
• Publication Date: 2019-07-26
• Subjects: bladder cancer -- subtype -- classification -- NMIBC -- proteomics; Cancer -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Prevention -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1002/ijc.32556
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-7136

Abstract

Abstract : DNA/RNA‐based classification of bladder cancer (BC) supports the existence of multiple molecular subtypes, while investigations at the protein level are scarce. Here, we aimed to investigate if Nonmuscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) can be stratified to biologically meaningful groups based on the proteome. Tissue specimens from 117 patients at primary diagnosis (98 with NMIBC and 19 with MIBC), were processed for high‐resolution proteomics analysis by liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (LC‐MS/MS). The proteomics output was subjected to unsupervised consensus clustering, principal component analysis (PCA) and investigation of subtype‐specific features, pathways, and gene sets. NMIBC patients were optimally stratified to three NMIBC proteomic subtypes (NPS), differing in size, clinicopathologic and molecular backgrounds: NPS1 (mostly high stage/grade/risk samples) was the smallest in size (17/98) and overexpressed proteins reflective of an immune/inflammatory phenotype, involved in cell proliferation, unfolded protein response and DNA damage response, whereas NPS2 (mixed stage/grade/risk composition) presented with an infiltrated/mesenchymal profile. NPS3 was rich in luminal/differentiation markers, in line with its pathological composition (mostly low stage/grade/risk samples). PCA revealed a close proximity of NPS1 and conversely, remoteness of NPS3 to the proteome of MIBC. Proteins distinguishing these two extreme subtypes were also found to consistently differ at the mRNA levels between high and low‐risk subtypes of the UROMOL and LUND cohorts. Collectively, our study identifies three proteomic NMIBC subtypes and following a cross‐omics validation in two independent cohorts, shortlists molecular features meriting further investigation for their biomarker or potentially therapeutic value. Abstract : What's new? DNA/RNA‐based classification of bladder cancer supports the existence of multiple molecular subtypes. Protein‐based molecular subtyping could provide critical information on the translation of genome signals into cellular functions, however. This study reports on the first proteomics classification of Non‐Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (NMIBC) based on an unbiased comprehensive liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS) approach, investigating how existing pathological and molecular subtypes are reproduced in the tissue proteome. NMIBC patients were optimally stratified into three proteomic subtypes differing in size, clinico‐pathological features, and molecular backgrounds. The results facilitate the shortlisting of potential NMIBC prognosticators for further validation in clinical trials.