High FSTL1 expression promotes bladder cancer progression by enhancing tumor cell migration.

OBJECTIVE

Emerging evidence highlights diverse roles of FSTL1 across various malignancies, though its biological significance in bladder carcinogenesis remains unexplored.

METHODS

This study systematically interrogated FSTL1 using multidimensional bioinformatics approaches-including tumor microenvironment characterization, survival pattern evaluation, and differential expression profiling-through multiple bladder cancer datasets from TCGA and GEO repositories, with subsequent experimental validation employing in vitro cellular models.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate that FSTL1 exhibits significant overexpression in bladder tumors, promotes cancer cell motility through pro-migratory mechanisms, and potentially modulates key components of the tumor microenvironment.

CONCLUSION

FSTL1 might be a therapeutic target or biomarker for the advancement of bladder cancer.