The role of mutations and overexpression of the fibroblast growth factor receptor-3 in bladder cancer

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide. Throughout the last decade, several studies demonstrated that the fibroblast growth factor (FGF) signalling is altered in a significant proportion of patients with BC. FGF receptor (FGFR) 3 may thus serve as a promising biomarker for BC. Mutations of this gene are prevalent in BC (e.g., found in 74% of non-invasive papillary tumours), suggesting that FGFR3 status is an important event in BC. The aim of this review was to overview the outcomes of different mutations in FGFR3 receptor in the context of BC. We first described FGFR3 receptor and continue with mutations of FGFR3 gene, including activating mutations and overexpression of this gene. Finally, we addressed the clinical relevance of mutated FGFR3 gene.