Research progress on the role of AGC kinase family in bladder cancer

Bladder cancer is a common malignant tumor worldwide, with rising incidence and mortality rates. In recent years, the role of the AGC kinase family (including PKA, PKC, PKG, etc.) in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of bladder cancer has attracted widespread attention. AGC kinases regulate various cellular processes such as proliferation, migration, metabolism, and apoptosis through phosphorylation of specific substrates. Aberrant activation or expression of these kinases is closely associated with the malignant progression of bladder cancer. This review summarizes the current research on the AGC kinase family in bladder cancer, focusing on the roles of PKA, PKC, and PKG in bladder cancer cell biology, and discusses key signaling pathways related to these kinases, such as the PI3K/Akt and MAPK/ERK pathways. Furthermore, the potential of AGC kinases as therapeutic targets has been extensively explored, with preclinical studies showing promising results for targeted inhibitors and combination therapies. Finally, we discuss future research directions, including molecular mechanisms of AGC kinases, the development of targeted therapies, and clinical trial design, aiming to provide a theoretical basis and strategy for bladder cancer treatment.