Genome-wide transcriptional profiling identifies molecular markers associated with early carcinogenesis in high-grade bladder cancer

To determine genome-wide transcriptional coverage of well-characterized genes, gene candidates, and splice variants associated with invasive process on bladder carcinogenesis (BC), we investigated the whole-genome gene expression profile of high-grade Turkish BC patients. We collected high-grade bladder tumours (n = 12) and paired standard tissue samples (n = 12). To find differentially expressed genes related to bladder cancer’s metastatic pattern, we performed the human whole-genome expression profiling through the Illumina Human HT-12 Expression Beadchip system. Ingenuity Pathway Systems (IPA), i-Pathway Guide and Cytoscape software were used to determine statistically significant genes, networks, biological pathways between tumour and control groups. Cyclin A2 (CCNA2), CDC20, CDC45, MMP1, MMP3, MMP9, MMP10, STAT1, STAT2, TNFRSF1A, TNFSF10, and TUBB3 were significantly upregulated in bladder cancer cases. We showed that biological reactions, including the degradation of collagen and extracellular matrix and matrix metalloproteinases activation reactions, were found the most statistically significant pathways in BC. We also determined that inflammation and cytokine signalling could be related to the progression of bladder carcinogenesis. The genes differentially expressed could be molecular indicators for early prediction of bladder carcinogenesis.