The interplay between angiogenesis-associated genes and molecular, clinical, and immune features in bladder cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Immunotherapy plays an important role in the treatment of bladder cancer (BLCA), with outcomes influenced by the tumor microenvironment (TME). Angiogenesis, a hallmark of cancer progression, shapes the TME and impacts immunotherapy efficacy. However, its specific role in BLCA remains underexplored.

Methods

We analyzed 268 angiogenesis-related genes (ARGs) across ten gene sets using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) cohorts. Through unsupervised clustering, we identified ARG-based subtypes and developed an ARG scoring system to quantify angiogenesis activity. The ARG score was correlated with clinical outcomes, immune cell infiltration, and immunotherapy response. Functional validation was performed using in vitro assays.

SUBMITTER: Guo X 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11883062 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature