The Laws of Attraction: Chemokines as Critical Mediators in Cancer Progression and Immunotherapy Response in Bladder Cancer

Abstract

Bladder cancer (BCa) is a prevalent urogenital malignancy, characterized by a myriad of genetic and environmental risk factors that drive its progression. Approximately 75% of bladder tumors are non-muscle-invasive at diagnosis. For such cases, bladder preservation is often feasible with intravesical chemotherapy or immunotherapy. However, the high recurrence rates associated with these tumors necessitate multiple cystoscopic examinations and biopsies, leading to significant financial burden and morbidity. Despite bladder tumors exhibiting one of the highest cancer mutational loads, which typically correlates with improved responses to immunotherapy, challenges persist. The tumor microenvironment serves as a nexus for interactions between tumor cells and the immune system, wherein chemokines and chemokine receptors orchestrate the recruitment of immune cells. This review addresses existing gaps in our understanding of chemokine dynamics in BCa by elucidating the specific roles of key chemokines in shaping the immune landscape of the tumor microenvironment (TME). We explore how dysregulation of chemokine signaling pathways contributes to the recruitment of immunosuppressive cell populations, such as Tregs and monocytes, leading to an unfavorable immune response. Additionally, we highlight the potential of these chemokines as predictive biomarkers for tumor progression and treatment outcomes, emphasizing their role in informing personalized immunotherapeutic strategies. By integrating insights into chemokine networks and their implications for immune cell dynamics, this review seeks to provide a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between chemokines and the immune microenvironment in BCa. Furthermore, we discuss the potential of targeting these chemokine pathways as innovative immunotherapeutic strategies, paving the way for enhanced treatment responses and improved patient outcomes.