Available online 20 November 2023

Bladder cancer (BC) is a common type of urological cancer.

BC spreads via direct infiltration and lymphatic and hematogenous metastases.

Lymphatic metastasis is considered a poor prognostic factor for BC.

Several epigenetic factors are related to lymphatic metastasis in BC.

These epigenetic factors include microRNAs, long noncoding RNAs, and circular RNAs.

Bladder cancer (BC), a malignancy originating in the epithelial tissue in the inner wall of the bladder, is a common urological cancer type. BC spreads through 3 main pathways: direct infiltration, lymphatic metastasis, and hematogenous metastasis. Lymphatic metastasis is considered a poor prognostic factor for BC and is often associated with lower survival rates. The treatment of BC after lymphatic metastasis is complex and challenging. A deeper understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphatic metastasis of BC may yield potential targets for its treatment. Here, we summarize the current knowledge on epigenetic factors—including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs—associated with lymphatic metastasis in BC. These factors are strongly associated with lymphangiogenesis, cancer cell proliferation and migration, and epithelial–mesenchymal transition processes, providing new insights to develop newer BC treatment strategies.

Bladder cancer

CircRNA

LncRNA

Lymphatic metastasis

miRNA

© 2023 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier Inc.