Abstract
Objective:
Bladder cancer (BC) ranks among the most common malignancies of the urinary tract and is frequently diagnosed in patients with diabetes, who experience altered metabolic and immune system responses. This study aimed to identify urinary microbial metabolites as potential biomarkers for the early detection of bladder cancer in diabetic patients. We explored the relationship between urinary microbiome dysbiosis and the onset of bladder cancer, focusing on microbial metabolites that could be utilized as non-invasive, reliable biomarkers for early detection.
Methods:
A cohort study was conducted at a tertiary hospital in the northern region of Pakistan, involving diabetic patients with and without bladder cancer. Urinary microbiome profiling was performed using next-generation sequencing (NGS), and a metabolomics analysis was conducted via mass spectrometry (MS) to identify and quantify urinary metabolites. Statistical methods were employed to analyze and compare the microbial and metabolic profiles between the two groups.
Results:
Significant differences in microbial metabolites were observed between diabetic patients with bladder cancer and those without. Specific metabolites such as short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), bile acids, and amino acids were significantly over-represented in the urine of cancer patients. Moreover, specific bacterial species associated with inflammation were found to be enriched in the bladder cancer group.
Conclusion:
Urinary microbial metabolites present in diabetic patients can serve as promising biomarkers for the early detection of bladder cancer. The results of this study provide evidence that urinary microbial dysbiosis and its associated metabolites could offer a non-invasive, reliable diagnostic tool for bladder cancer, presenting a potential alternative to more invasive diagnostic procedures.