Dual nature of IL-23 in bladder cancer: promoting and suppressing roles.

Bladder Cancer Breakthrough: IL-23's Double-Edged Sword

Lena Voss in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research reveals how Interleukin-23 (IL-23) can either fuel or fight bladder cancer, depending on its concentration. Uncover the future of targeted treatments."

Bladder cancer remains a significant health challenge worldwide. While treatments have advanced, the search for more targeted and effective therapies continues. Recent research has shed light on the complex role of Interleukin-23 (IL-23), a molecule known to influence inflammation and immunity, in bladder cancer progression.

IL-23 is a type of protein called a cytokine, and is at the center of immune responses. Prior studies have shown that IL-23 is found in higher levels in bladder cancer tissues compared to normal tissues. However, the functional role of IL-23 has remained largely unknown, and the impact it has on cancer development.

A new study explores this duality, demonstrating that IL-23 can either promote or suppress bladder cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion, all depending on its concentration. This discovery opens new doors for understanding bladder cancer and designing more precise treatment strategies.

IL-23: Friend or Foe in Bladder Cancer?

Dual nature of IL-23 in bladder cancer: promoting and suppressing roles.

The study, published in Oncology Reports, investigated the effects of IL-23 on bladder cancer cells. Researchers found that low concentrations of IL-23 (20 ng/ml) stimulated T24 bladder cancer cells. This stimulation led to:

Conversely, higher concentrations of IL-23 (40 ng/ml) had the opposite effect, inhibiting these same processes. This concentration-dependent effect reveals a surprising and complex role for IL-23 in bladder cancer.

Increased cell proliferation (growth)
Enhanced migration (movement to new areas)
Greater invasion (penetration into surrounding tissues)
Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT), a process that allows cancer cells to become more aggressive and mobile

To validate these findings, researchers analyzed data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA). The results showed that patients with low IL-23 expression had more advanced disease and poorer survival rates. Patients with high IL-23 expression experienced better outcomes. These clinical observations support the idea that IL-23's role in bladder cancer is complex.

The Future of Bladder Cancer Treatment: Personalized Approaches

This research highlights the importance of understanding the specific conditions within the tumor microenvironment. IL-23 is not simply a pro-cancer or anti-cancer molecule; its effects depend on its concentration and potentially other factors within the tumor.

The study suggests that future bladder cancer treatments could be tailored to individual patients based on their IL-23 expression levels. For example:

<ul> <li>Patients with low IL-23: Therapies that block alternative pro-tumor pathways might be beneficial.</li> <li>Patients with high IL-23: Boosting the immune system's ability to recognize and eliminate cancer cells could be the focus.</li> </ul>

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3892/or.2018.6775, Alternate LINK

Title: Il‑23 Concentration‑Dependently Regulates T24 Cell Proliferation, Migration And Invasion And Is Associated With Prognosis In Patients With Bladder Cancer

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Oncology Reports

Publisher: Spandidos Publications

Authors: Peng Wang, Yao Zhang, Jun Zhang, Jun Jiang, Fengshuo Jin, Zhongyi Sun

Published: 2018-10-08

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is Interleukin-23 (IL-23) and what role does it play?

Interleukin-23 (IL-23) is a cytokine, a type of protein, that is central to immune responses. This molecule has been found to have a dual role in bladder cancer, with its effects depending on its concentration within the tumor microenvironment.

Why is the dual role of Interleukin-23 (IL-23) important in the context of bladder cancer?

The importance of IL-23 lies in its concentration-dependent effects on bladder cancer cells. Low concentrations of IL-23 (20 ng/ml) stimulate cancer cell growth, migration, and invasion, and also promote Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Conversely, high concentrations of IL-23 (40 ng/ml) inhibit these processes. This discovery is significant because it offers a new perspective on bladder cancer and could lead to more precise treatment strategies.

How does the concentration of Interleukin-23 (IL-23) affect bladder cancer?

The concentration of IL-23 within the tumor microenvironment dictates its impact. At low levels, IL-23 promotes tumor progression, which includes increased cell proliferation, enhanced migration, greater invasion, and EMT. At higher concentrations, IL-23 reverses these effects, potentially suppressing cancer growth. This duality emphasizes the complexity of the tumor microenvironment and the need for personalized approaches in treatment.

What specific tests or experiments were done to understand the effects of Interleukin-23 (IL-23) in bladder cancer?

The study used T24 bladder cancer cells to investigate the effects of IL-23. The research team observed that low concentrations of IL-23 stimulated these cells, leading to increased cell proliferation, enhanced migration, and greater invasion. Furthermore, the study included data analysis from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to support these findings. Data showed that patients with low IL-23 expression had more advanced disease and poorer survival rates compared to patients with high IL-23 expression, who experienced better outcomes.

What are the potential implications of this research for bladder cancer treatment?

The implications are significant because they could lead to the development of targeted therapies that modulate IL-23 levels. By precisely controlling the concentration of IL-23 within the tumor microenvironment, it might be possible to either stimulate or suppress cancer progression. This could involve developing drugs that either increase IL-23 levels to inhibit cancer growth or block IL-23 to stop the growth. Understanding that the effects of IL-23 depend on its concentration opens a new avenue for personalized bladder cancer treatment.