HOXB2 is a Putative Tumour Promotor in Human Bladder Cancer.

Background/aim: The present study aimed to investigate the role of Homebox B2 (HOXB2) in bladder cancer (BC).

Materials And Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) dataset was used to analyse HOXB2 expression in BC. The influence of HOXB2 on the cellular functions of BC cells was determined in both HOXB2 knockdown and HOXB2 overexpressed BC cell lines using in vitro assays.

Results: HOXB2 mRNA was significantly upregulated in luminal infiltrated and luminal papillary subtypes of BC. Drug Metabolism Cytochrome P450 was significantly enriched in BCs expressing high levels of HOXB2. Knockdown of HOXB2 from EJ138 cells reduced growth, adhesion and invasion. In contrast, overexpression of HOXB2 in RT112 cells induced growth and adhesion of bladder cancer cells.

Conclusion: Increased HOXB2 expression in papillary BC can promote cell growth and adhesion of BC cells. Drug Metabolism Cytochrome P450 pathway was enriched in BCs overexpressing HOXB2.