Journal Article

Understanding Molecular Mechanisms and Identifying Key Processes in Chronic Radiation Cystitis

Lefranc, Anne-Charlotte, Simon, Jean-Marc, Benderitter, Marc, Milliat, Fabien, Brossard, Clément, Chapel, Alain

2022

Overview

Chronic radiation cystitis (CRC) is a consequence of pelvic radiotherapy and affects 5–10% of patients. The pathology of CRC is without curative treatment and is characterized by incontinence, pelvic pain and hematuria, which severely degrades patients’ quality of life. Current management strategies rely primarily on symptomatic measures and have certain limitations. Thanks to a better understanding of the pathophysiology of radiation cystitis, studies targeting key manifestations such as inflammation, neovascularization and cell atrophy have emerged and are promising avenues for future treatment. However, the mechanisms of CRC are still better described in animal models than in human models. Preclinical studies conducted to elucidate the pathophysiology of CRC use distinct models and are most often limited to specific processes, such as fibrosis, vascular damage and inflammation. This review presents a synthesis of experimental studies aimed at improving our understanding of the molecular mechanisms at play and identifying key processes in CRC.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,MDPI
• Subject: Animals / Bladder / Cancer therapies / Cell growth / Cystitis - etiology / Cystitis - metabolism / Cystitis - pathology / Disease Models, Animal / Edema / Fibroblasts / Fibrosis / Gene Regulatory Networks / Hematuria / Humans / Inflammation / Ischemia / Life Sciences / Pain / Pathophysiology / Patients / Prostate cancer / Quality of Life / Radiation Injuries - complications / Radiation Injuries - metabolism / Radiation Injuries - pathology / Radiation therapy / Review / Smooth muscle