FGFR(3S249C) mutation promotes chemoresistance by activating Akt signaling in bladder cancer cells

Fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3) is a high frequency mutant gene in bladder cancer (BCa) and has become a promising therapeutic target due to its involvement in cell proliferation and migration. However, whether and how FGFR3 mutations affects BCa cell chemosensitivity is unknown. The current study aimed to elucidate the role of the FGFR3(S249C) mutation in the development of chemoresistance in BCa cells. The results revealed that 97-7 (FGFR3(S249C)) cells had decreased sensitivity to cisplatin compared with 5637 (FGFR3(WT)) and T24 (FGFR3(WT)) cells. The ratio of phosphorylated-Akt/total-Akt was higher in 97-7 (FGFR3(S249C)) cells, which was reversed by knockdown of FGFR3. Furthermore, inhibition of Akt signaling by GDC0068 or LY294002 increased the cisplatin sensitivity of 97-7 (FGFR3(S249C)) cells. GDC0068 or LY294002 was also revealed to augment the effects of cisplatin on 97-7 (FGFR3(S249C)) cell proliferation and apoptosis. The results of the present study demonstrated that the FGFR3(S249C) mutation promotes chemoresistance in BCa cells by activating the Akt signaling pathway. The FGFR3(S249C) mutation may therefore be used as a predictor of chemosensitivity in patients with BCa.