CD44v6 is associated with tumor aggressiveness and chemoresistance in bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is a fast-moving and recurrent malignancy where survival hinges on early detection and precise risk stratification. The search for robust biomarkers is urgent, and CD44v6 has emerged as a compelling candidate. In this study, we explored the clinical and functional associations of CD44v6 expression in bladder cancer. Integrated analyses of patient samples and cell lines showed that high CD44v6 expression is strongly associated with poor patient outcomes, enhanced migratory and invasive behavior, and increased resistance to cisplatin. These results suggest that CD44v6 may serve as a prognostic biomarker and a potential therapeutic target in bladder cancer. Overall, our findings highlight the translational relevance of CD44v6 and provide a foundation for future studies aimed at elucidating the mechanistic pathways underlying its role in tumor aggressiveness and chemoresistance.
Authors
- Mercedes Pérez-Escavy (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1884-3773)
- Iris Lodewijk (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5208-8249)
- Omaira Alberquilla (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0301-8340)
- Lucía Parrilla
- Álvaro Martín de Bernardo (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0001-1626-3978)
- Esther Montesinos
- Jesús María Paramio (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7520-3177)
- Cristian Suárez-Cabrera (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1897-1596)
- Lucía Morales (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5253-1442)
- Ignacio A. Reina (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3661-2503)
- Carolina Rubio
- Marta Dueñas
- Félix Guerrero-Ramos
- Gottfrid Sjödahl
- Rosa García-Martin
- Daniel Castellano
- Miguel Alonso-Sánchez
- José L. Rodríguez-Peralto
- Rebeca Sánchez-Domínguez
- Laura García-Gómez
- Pontus Eriksson
Institutions
- Universidad Complutense de Madrid (ES)
- Lund University (SE)
- Research Institute Hospital 12 de Octubre (ES)
- Hospital Universitario 12 De Octubre (ES)
- Centre for Biomedical Network Research on Rare Diseases (ES)
- Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Díaz (ES)
- Skåne University Hospital (SE)
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer (ES)
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (ES)
- Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (ES)
Publication Details
- Journal
- Scientific Reports
- Published
- 2026-03-11
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-42566-0
- Primary Topic
- Proteoglycans and glycosaminoglycans research
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 0.00
Funders
- Fundación Eugenio Rodríguez Pascual
- Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Cáncer
- Instituto de Salud Carlos III
- European Regional Development Fund
- Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas