Genomic activation of PPARG reveals a candidate therapeutic axis in bladder cancer

The PPARG gene encoding the nuclear receptor PPAR-gamma is activated in bladder cancer, either directly by gene amplification or mutation, or indirectly by mutation of the RXRA gene which encodes the heterodimeric partner of PPAR-gamma. Here we show that activating alterations of PPARG or RXRA lead to a specific gene expression signature in bladder cancers. Reducing PPARG activity, whether by pharmacologic inhibition or genetic ablation, inhibited proliferation of PPARG-activated bladder cancer cells. Our results offer a preclinical proof of concept for PPARG as a candidate therapeutic target in bladder cancer.

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