The current status of immunobased therapies for metastatic renal-cell carcinoma

The management of metastatic renal-cell carcinoma (mRCC) represents an important clinical challenge. Since being approved in the early 1990s, aspecific immunotherapy has been a mainstay of treatment for mRCC and the only therapy that has demonstrated long-term cures for mRCC. However, in recent times there have been landmark advances made in the field of specific immunotherapy for a number of malignancies, including kidney cancer. This review outlines the range of immunobased agents currently available for the treatment of mRCC.

Prevalence of Clostridium Difficile Infection in Patients After Radical Cystectomy and Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy

Background and Objectives:

Clostridium Difficile is the most common cause of nosocomial infectious diarrhea. This study evaluates the prevalence and predictors of Clostridium Difficile infections in patients undergoing radical cystectomy with or without neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Methods:

Retrospective chart review was performed of all patients undergoing cystectomy and urinary diversion at a single institution from 2011–2017. Infection was documented in all cases with testing for Clostridium Difficile polymerase chain reaction toxin B. Patient and disease related factors were compared for those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs. those who did not in order to identify potential risk factors associated with C. Difficile infections. Chi squared test and logistic regression analysis were used to determine statistical significance.

Results:

Of 350 patients who underwent cystectomy, 41 (11.7%) developed Clostridium Difficile in the 30 day post-operative period. The prevalence of C. Difficile infection was higher amongst the patients undergoing cystectomy compared to the non-cystectomy admissions at our hospital (11.7 vs. 2.9%). Incidence was not significantly different among those who underwent cystectomy for bladder cancer versus those who underwent the procedure for other reasons. Median time to diagnosis was 6 days (range 3–28 days). The prevalence of C. Diff infections was not significantly different among those who received neoadjuvant chemotherapy vs. those who did not (11% vs. 10.4% p = 0.72). A significant association between C. Difficile infection was not seen with proton pump inhibitor use (p = 0.48), patient BMI (p = 0.67), chemotherapeutic regimen (p = 0.94), individual surgeon (p = 0.54), type of urinary diversion (0.41), or peri-operative antibiotic redosing (p = 0.26).

Conclusions:

Clostridium Difficile infection has a higher prevalence in patients undergoing cystectomy. No significant association between prevalence and exposure to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was seen.

Comparative Evaluation of Bladder-specific Health-related Quality of Life Instruments for Bladder Cancer

OBJECTIVE

To compare 2 bladder cancer-specific health-related quality of life instruments (HRQOL) in the same patient population. Previous HRQOL studies in cystectomy patients have yielded conflicting results. Using a cross-sectional study design, we examined the only 2 validated bladder cancer-specific (HRQOL) measures.

METHODS

Of the 256 patients who had undergone radical cystectomy from 2009 to 2014, 131 met both inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Vanderbilt Cystectomy Index (FACT-VCI) and Bladder Cancer Index (BCI) were mailed to these patients. Overall HRQOL and individual domain scores were compared between the 2 instruments with a Spearman correlation coefficient. HRQOL scores were compared by urinary diversion type as well using a non-parametric Wilcoxon rank sum test.

RESULTS

Our study had a response rate of 49% from 31 ileal conduit (IC) and 33 orthotopic neobladder patients. Overall, there was a moderate correlation between the FACT-VCI and BCI surveys (r = 0.57, P <.001). Responses on the BCI domains were strongly correlated with responses on the bladder cancer-specific domain of the FACT-VCI (r = 0.74, P <.001). The BCI scores for urinary function were significantly better in the IC group (P = .002). No significant difference was found between IC and orthotopic neobladder using the FACT-VCI.

CONCLUSION

The FACT-VCI and BCI instruments correlate well within the same patient cohort but capture different aspects of HRQOL. By focusing exclusively on bladder cancer treatment concerns, the BCI appears to be a better tool for assessing and counseling patients on expected treatment-specific changes after diversion type.

Intravesical electromotive drug administration for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer

BACKGROUND

Electromotive drug administration (EMDA) is the use of electrical current to improve the delivery of intravesical agents to reduce the risk of recurrence in people with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). It is unclear how effective this is in comparison to other forms of intravesical therapy.

OBJECTIVES

To assess the effects of intravesical EMDA for the treatment of NMIBC.

SEARCH METHODS

We performed a comprehensive search using multiple databases (CENTRAL, MEDLINE, EMBASE), two clinical trial registries and a grey literature repository. We searched reference lists of relevant publications and abstract proceedings. We applied no language restrictions. The last search was February 2017.

SELECTION CRITERIA

We searched for randomised studies comparing EMDA of any intravesical agent used to reduce bladder cancer recurrence in conjunction with transurethral resection of bladder tumour (TURBT).

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Two review authors independently screened the literature, extracted data, assessed risk of bias and rated quality of evidence (QoE) according to GRADE on a per outcome basis.

MAIN RESULTS

We included three trials with 672 participants that described five distinct comparisons. The same principal investigator conducted all three trials. All studies used mitomycin C (MMC) as the chemotherapeutic agent for EMDA. 1. Postoperative MMC-EMDA induction versus postoperative Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) induction: based on one study with 72 participants with carcinoma in situ (CIS) and concurrent pT1 urothelial carcinoma, we are uncertain (very low QoE) about the effect of MMC-EMDA on time to recurrence (risk ratio (RR) 1.06, 95% confidence interval (CI) 0.64 to 1.76; corresponding to 30 more per 1000 participants, 95% CI 180 fewer to 380 more). There was no disease progression in either treatment arm at three months' follow-up. We are uncertain (very low QoE) about serious adverse events (RR 0.75, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.11). 2. Postoperative MMC-EMDA induction versus MMC-passive diffusion (PD) induction: based on one study with 72 participants with CIS and concurrent pT1 urothelial carcinoma, postoperative MMC-EMDA may (low QoE) reduce disease recurrence (RR 0.65, 95% CI 0.44 to 0.98; corresponding to 147 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 235 fewer to 8 fewer). There was no disease progression in either treatment arm at three months' follow-up. We are uncertain (very low QoE) about the effect of MMC-EMDA on serious adverse events (RR 1.50, 95% CI 0.27 to 8.45). 3. Postoperative MMC-EMDA with sequential BCG induction and maintenance versus postoperative BCG induction and maintenance: based on one study with 212 participants with pT1 urothelial carcinoma of the bladder with or without CIS, postoperative MMC-EMDA with sequential BCG may result (low QoE) in a longer time to recurrence (hazard ratio (HR) 0.51, 95% CI 0.34 to 0.77; corresponding to 181 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 256 fewer to 79 fewer) and time to progression (HR 0.36, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.75; corresponding to 63 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 82 fewer to 24 fewer). We are uncertain (very low QoE) about the effect of MMC-EMDA on serious adverse events (RR 1.02, 95% CI 0.21 to 4.94). 4. Single-dose, preoperative MMC-EMDA versus single-dose, postoperative MMC-PD: based on one study with 236 participants with primary pTa and pT1 urothelial carcinoma, preoperative MMC-EMDA likely (moderate QoE) results in a longer time to recurrence (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.32 to 0.69; corresponding to 247 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 341 fewer to 130 fewer) for a median follow-up of 86 months. We are uncertain (very low QoE) about the effect of MMC-EMDA on time to progression (HR 0.81, 95% CI 0.00 to 259.93; corresponding to 34 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 193 fewer to 807 more) and serious adverse events (RR 0.79, 95% CI 0.30 to 2.05). 5. Single-dose, preoperative MMC-EMDA versus TURBT alone: based on one study with 233 participants with primary pTa and pT1 urothelial carcinoma, preoperative MMC-EMDA likely (moderate QoE) results in a longer time to recurrence (HR 0.40, 95% CI 0.28 to 0.57; corresponding to 304 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 390 fewer to 198 fewer) for a median follow-up of 86 months. We are uncertain (very low QoE) about the effect of MMC-EMDA on time to progression (HR 0.74, 95% CI 0.00 to 247.93; corresponding to 49 fewer per 1000 participants, 95% CI 207 fewer to 793 more) or serious adverse events (HR 1.74, 95% CI 0.52 to 5.77).

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

While the use of EMDA to administer intravesical MMC may result in a delay in time to recurrence in select patient populations, we are uncertain about its impact on serious adverse events in all settings. Common reasons for downgrading the QoE were study limitations and imprecision. A potential role for EMDA-based administration of MMC may lie in settings where more established agents (such as BCG) are not available. In the setting of low or very low QoE for most comparisons, our confidence in the effect estimates is limited and the true effect sizes may be substantially different from those reported here.

The Prevalence and Impact of Urinary Marker Testing in Patients with Bladder Cancer

PURPOSE

Novel urinary tumor markers for bladder cancer may permit early detection and improved oncologic outcomes but data on use is limited. We sought to identify trends in the application of urinary markers and long-term outcomes of urinary tumor marker use in patients with bladder cancer.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Data from the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results)-Medicare database from 2001 to 2011 were used to identify a cohort of 64,450 patients with bladder cancer who underwent urinary marker testing with UroVysion® fluorescence in situ hybridization, or the NMP22® or BTA Stat® test. We assessed the prevalence of urinary marker testing and urine cytology. Characteristics of patients who did and did not undergo urinary marker testing were analyzed by the chi-square test. Urinary marker testing predictors were analyzed with a multivariable logistic regression model and Cox proportional hazards were used to determine unadjusted cancer specific and overall mortality risks.

RESULTS

The rate of urinary marker testing increased from 17.8% to a peak of 28.2% during the study years (p <0.0001). Predictors of marker use included female gender, younger age and lower Charlson score. Overall and cancer specific survival improved on Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards analyses with urinary marker testing.

CONCLUSIONS

Increased urinary marker testing was documented over all stages and grades of bladder cancer, and in certain patient and provider variables. This increase may have contributed to improved overall and cancer specific survival. Additional investigation is necessary to further characterize this benefit.

Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer consensus statement on immunotherapy for the treatment of bladder carcinoma

The standard of care for most patients with non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) is immunotherapy with intravesical Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG), which activates the immune system to recognize and destroy malignant cells and has demonstrated durable clinical benefit. Urologic best-practice guidelines and consensus reports have been developed and strengthened based on data on the timing, dose, and duration of therapy from randomized clinical trials, as well as by critical evaluation of criteria for progression. However, these reports have not penetrated the community, and many patients do not receive appropriate therapy. Additionally, several immune checkpoint inhibitors have recently been approved for treatment of metastatic disease. The approval of immune checkpoint blockade for patients with platinum-resistant or -ineligible metastatic bladder cancer has led to considerations of expanded use for both advanced and, potentially, localized disease. To address these issues and others surrounding the appropriate use of immunotherapy for the treatment of bladder cancer, the Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC) convened a Task Force of experts, including physicians, patient advocates, and nurses, to address issues related to patient selection, toxicity management, clinical endpoints, as well as the combination and sequencing of therapies. Following the standard approach established by the Society for other cancers, a systematic literature review and analysis of data, combined with consensus voting was used to generate guidelines. Here, we provide a consensus statement for the use of immunotherapy in patients with bladder cancer, with plans to update these recommendations as the field progresses.

Abstract 1586: Developing novel inhibitors of S100A4 for neuroendocrine (NE) and metastatic prostate cancer: systematic testing using relevant models and drug development techniques

S100A4, a calcium binding protein has been well studied as a marker of fibrosis and metastasis. We recently showed that in addition of being a metastatic marker, S100A4 is in fact an oncogene that plays an important role in the development of prostate cancer (CaP) and is amenable of targeting for the treatment of this lethal disease particularly neuroendocrine CaP (NE-CaP). Using a genetically engineered transgenic mouse model of NE-CaP, we show that knocking down of S100A4 significantly inhibited growth of prostate tumorigenesis and metastasis. Our noticeable finding is that S100A4 is secreted by prostatic tumors, and extracellular/soluble S100A4 acts as a growth factor that has the ability to confer aggressive potential to less aggressive or indolent tumor cells. We show that serum-S100A4 level is highly elevated in human CaP patients with aggressive disease regardless of their serum-PSA levels. We next asked if small molecule inhibitors could be developed to inhibit the activity if intracellular as well as extracellular S100A4. Using a highly robust Blue/Gene supercomputer-based in silico method, we screened a library of 5000 molecules and based on their binding efficacy to S100A4, identified potential inhibitors (SMI1 and SMI2). We next tested if SMI1 and SMI2 bind to the S100A4 protein in biological solution. We generated recombinant S100A4 protein and standardized an isothermal titration Calorimetry (ITC) assay for S100A4 binding. The ITC analysis (Kcal vs time) shows that both SMI1 and SMI2 inhibitors significantly bind to the S100A4 protein nevertheless SMI2 exhibited higher binding affinity to S100A4 than SMI1. Next, we used Surface Plasmon Resonance (SPR) method (accurate and sensitive technique) for detecting binding of inhibitors to S100A4. The SPR data (sensogram) shows that SMI1 and SMI2 bind to the S100A4 protein. The binding of S100A4 to Myosin IIA (MIIA) is known to disrupt the latter’s monomer-polymer equilibrium. This phenomenon is captured in solution (in terms of disassembly of MIIA filaments and change in turbidity). Using disassembly/ or turbidity assays as an index of S100A4 activity (where recombinant S100A4 and MIIA are incubated +/- inhibitors), we show that SMI1 and SMI2 inhibit the activity of S100A4 protein. Next, we tested efficacy of inhibitors in vitro and show that SMI1 and SMI2 therapies inhibit the growth, proliferation, migration and invasiveness of NE-CaP (TRAMPC2) and AI-CaP (DU145, PC3) cells. Notably, SMI1 and SMI2 therapies inhibited the growth-promoting effects of extracellular S100A4 and decreased activities of S100A4 downstream target proteins (MMP9 and NFκB). These data suggest that S100A4 inhibitors (SMI1 and SMI2) exhibit high anti-metastatic efficacy and are the potential candidates for treating NE-CaP and metastatic AI-CaP. The validation of SMI1 and SMI2 under in vivo models is underway in our laboratory.

Citation Format: Mohammad Saleem, Arsheed A. Ganaie, Reihana Maqbool, Firdous A. Beigh, Syed Umbreen, Natalya G. Dulyaninova, Badrinath R. Konety. Developing novel inhibitors of S100A4 for neuroendocrine (NE) and metastatic prostate cancer: systematic testing using relevant models and drug development techniques [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1586. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-1586

Current Concepts in the Management of Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer

Bladder cancer is the ninth most common cancer in the world. Twenty to twenty-five percent of all newly diagnosed bladder cancers are muscle invasive in nature, and further, 20-25% of patients who are diagnosed with high-risk non-muscle invasive disease will eventually progress to muscle invasive disease in due course of time irrespective of adjuvant intravesical therapies. Availability of newer imaging modalities improves appropriate identification of patients with muscle invasive disease. Radical cystectomy remains the mainstay of treatment for management of muscle invasive disease. Availability of neoadjuvant chemotherapy has improved overall survival. Risk stratification systems are now in consideration to identify patients who benefit maximally from neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Urinary diversion is a major cause of morbidity in these patients, and several strategies are being employed to reduce morbidity. In this article, we review available literature on various aspects of management of muscle invasive disease.

Factors affecting the risk of erroneous interpretation of online surgeon rating websites among the general population

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Background: Several websites present estimated individual surgeon complication rates for surgeons in both the United States and Great Britain. Though some researchers have raised questions as to the validity and appropriateness of these publicly displayed outcome measures, there remains very little research into how the general public may interpret these data to make health care decisions. Methods: We invited attendees of the 2016 Minnesota State Fair who met entry criteria, (adults > 18 years old, English speakers who were able to use a tablet computer) to complete our survey. Demographic data was presented along with various screen shots from online surgeon rating websites. Patients were then asked to interpret these graphics and report complication rates. Some graphics displayed complications rates for one surgeon alone, while others compared multiple surgeons side-by-side. Results: 392 participants completed the survey from a broad geographic distribution from the upper Midwest (179 unique zip codes). Median age was 49 (Interquartile range 28-61), the female:male ratio was 3:2, 57% had completed a college or graduate degree and 85% were Caucasian vs. 15% ethnic minorities. The majority of participants (76%) were able to correctly estimate complication rates when a single surgeon and his or her complication rates were shown, but when respondents were asked to compare/rank multiple surgeons, respondents overestimated complication rates by 5-7 fold, on average, for the lower ranking surgeons and only 15% of respondents could correctly identify the complication rate of the lowest performing surgeon. College graduates and those with a graduate degree were more likely to correctly estimate complication rates compared to participants with less education (odds ratio 1.98 95% CI 1.04-3.75, p = 0.035). Conclusions: Online surgeon rating websites that compare and rank surgeons may lead the general public to drastically overestimate the risk of postoperative complications. These errors in estimating complication rates appear to be reduced amongst those who are college educated and when viewing single surgeon outcomes in the absence of a comparison.

Phase I/Ib study of enzalutamide and gemcitabine and cisplatin in bladder cancer

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Background: Metastatic bladder cancer (mBC) is a fatal disease and novel therapies are urgently needed. Preclinical evidence suggests role of AR in BC progression. Enzalutamide (ENZ) is a novel AR antagonist that inhibits nuclear translocation of AR, DNA binding, and co activator recruitment. Our ongoing phase 1 trial is is assessing safety and tolerability of ENZ in combination with gemcitabine and cisplatin (GC) in mBC and explore novel correlatives in tumor tissues and CTCs. Methods: The study has 2 phases, dose escalation phase and dose expansion phase. The dose escalation phase had 2 cohorts testing ENZ at doses of 80 mg and 160 mg respectively with GC (gemcitabine 10000 mg/m2 on days 1 and 8 and cisplatin 70 mg/m2 on day 1 every 21 days). The dose escalation phase allowed both AR + and AR - mBC pts. Patients will be monitored for safety and tolerance with laboratory studies, clinical exam, and CT scans to assess response. Primary objective is safety and tolerability of ENZ and GC. Secondary objectives are objective tumor response, time to progression, and overall survival. Exploratory objectives include qualitative and quantitative evaluation of AR and pAKT expression with AQUA in tumor tissues and correlation with outcomes. CTCs are being evaluated at baseline and cycle 3, including AR expression in CTCs and correlation will be done with tumor AR expression and clinical outcomes. Key eligibility criteria are ECOG PS of 0-1, and no contraindications to study drugs. Results: In the dose expamnsion phase, 3 patients were enrolled in each cohort of 80 mg and 160 mg of ENZ respectively with GC and there were no DLTs or significant AEs related to the combination; the MTD of ENZ is 160 mg. Enrollment on dose expansion phase is ongoing. detectable CTCs were seen in 4/6 BC patients with 2 patients showing AR + CTCs at baseline. Further CTC analysis, including AR expression and tissue analysis for AR and pAKT analysis in tissues is ongoing. (Trial identifier: NCT02300610). Conclusions: This is a first of its kind clinical trial exploring the role of AR signaling in BC and targeting it with ENZ along with GC. The data gathered form this study will help us understand the clinical relevance of targeting AR in BC. Clinical trial information: NCT02300610.

Development of a Classification Scheme for Examining Adverse Events Associated with Medical Devices, Specifically the DaVinci Surgical System as Reported in the FDA MAUDE Database

OBJECTIVE

To examine the Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience Database (MAUDE) database to capture adverse events experienced with the Da Vinci Surgical System. In addition, to design a standardized classification system to categorize the complications and machine failures associated with the device.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

Overall, 1,057,000 DaVinci procedures were performed in the United States between 2009 and 2012. Currently, no system exists for classifying and comparing device-related errors and complications with which to evaluate adverse events associated with the Da Vinci Surgical System.

METHODS

The MAUDE database was queried for events reports related to the DaVinci Surgical System between the years 2009 and 2012. A classification system was developed and tested among 14 robotic surgeons to associate a level of severity with each event and its relationship to the DaVinci Surgical System. Events were then classified according to this system and examined by using Chi-square analysis.

RESULTS

Two thousand eight hundred thirty-seven events were identified, of which 34% were obstetrics and gynecology (Ob/Gyn); 19%, urology; 11%, other; and 36%, not specified. Our classification system had moderate agreement with a Kappa score of 0.52. Using our classification system, we identified 75% of the events as mild, 18% as moderate, 4% as severe, and 3% as life threatening or resulting in death. Seventy-seven percent were classified as definitely related to the device, 15% as possibly related, and 8% as not related. Urology procedures compared with Ob/Gyn were associated with more severe events (38% vs 26%, p < 0.0001). Energy instruments were associated with less severe events compared with the surgical system (8% vs 87%, p < 0.0001). Events that were definitely associated with the device tended to be less severe (81% vs 19%, p < 0.0001).

CONCLUSIONS

Our classification system is a valid tool with moderate inter-rater agreement that can be used to better understand device-related adverse events. The majority of robotic related events were mild but associated with the device.

Correction: Endoscopic Gold Fiducial Marker Placement into the Bladder Wall to Optimize Radiotherapy Targeting for Bladder-Preserving Management of Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: Feasibility and Initial Outcomes

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0089754.].

Abstract 1821: Identifying a novel mechanism underlying the enzalutamide and bicalutamide resistance in African-American prostate cancer patients

Recently, FDA approved the Enzalutamide as a drug for castration-resistant prostate cancer. Recent studies reported patient populations which are non-responsive to the Enzalutamide therapy. Notably, African-American patients do not fare well for the castration-therapies (Bicalutamide and Enzalutamide). To identify a new therapeutic strategy for such populations, it is very important to understand the mechanism underlying the resistance to Bicalutamide or Enzalutamide. This would involve the use of an appropriate Bicalutamide or Enzalutamide-resistant model. We hypothesized that heterogeneous sub-populations contribute to Enzalutamide and bicalutamide resistance. In this study, we generated cell models representing Bicalutamide- and Enzalutamide-resistant phenotypes of primary prostate tumor of African-Americans. We next isolated subpopulations of Enzalutamide RC-Enz; Eht-Enz) and bicalutamide-resistant (RCbc; Eht-bc) cells. The cell sub-populations were ranked into three major classes’ viz., (1) highly stem-cell like (expressing several stemness markers BMI1 & CD133), (2) less stem-cell like (express one stemness marker BM1), and (3) non-stem cell like (negative for BMI1 and CD133). Notably, African-American primary CaP cells exhibited higher number of stem cell-like populations than Caucasian primary (22Rν1) and metastatic cells (PC3). When compared, the African-American Enzalutamide/Bicalutamide-resistant stem cell-like (RC-EnzCD133+/BM1+, RC-bcCD133+/BM1+, Eht-bcCD133+/BM1+ & Eht-EnzCD133+/BM1+) cells exhibited increased rate of proliferation, invasiveness and migration than Enzalutamide-resistant Caucasian stem cell-like cells(LNCaP95EnzCD133+/BM1+). We show that RC-EnzCD133+/BM1+ and RC-bcCD133+/BM1+ cells resistant cells exhibit increased (i) promoter activity of BMI1 gene, (ii) localization of BMI1 protein on PTEN gene, and (iii) physical interaction of BMI1 tumor to E4F1 tumor suppressor protein. This was validated in prostatic tumors of African-Americans. We provide evidence that E4F1 under normal conditions negatively regulates the activity of Androgen receptor (AR)-associated signaling and inhibits growth of cells. We show that BMI1 protein sequesters E4F1 protein and inhibits its check-point type or negative regulation of AR-pathway in Enzalutamide and Bicalutamide-resistant cells. This leads to the growth of stem-cell like tumor cells during the Enzalutamide and Bicalutamide therapies. To conclude, we suggest that (1) E4F1-regulated AR-signaling plays an important role in prostate cancer, particularly in African-Americans, (2) ratio of E4F1 and BM1 expression has the potential as a biopsy biomarker for deciding the disease phenotype and (3) E4F1/BMI1 as a therapeutic target could be exploited to increase the sensitivity to Enzalutamide and Bicalutamide therapies in African-Americans.

Citation Format: Arsheed Ganaie, Badrinath R. Konety, Todd Schuster, Mohammad Saleem. Identifying a novel mechanism underlying the enzalutamide and bicalutamide resistance in African-American prostate cancer patients. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 107th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2016 Apr 16-20; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(14 Suppl):Abstract nr 1821.

Association Between Number of Endoscopic Resections and Utilization of Bacillus Calmette-Guérin Therapy for Patients With High-Grade, Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

BACKGROUND

Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the reference standard treatment for patients with high-grade, non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). We previously described noncompliance with guidelines for BCG use in patients with high-risk disease. In the current study, we sought to characterize how the number of endoscopic resections of bladder tumors affects BCG utilization using population-level data.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We queried a Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)-Medicare linked database to evaluate claims records of 4776 patients diagnosed with high-grade NMIBC between 1992 and 2002 and followed until 2007, who survived for at least 2 years and who did not undergo definitive treatment with cystectomy, radiotherapy, or systemic chemotherapy. We stratified patients on the basis of the number of endoscopic resections of bladder tumors. We used chi-square analysis to compare number of resections to BCG utilization and multinomial logistic regression analysis to quantify BCG utilization by patient and tumor characteristics.

RESULTS

Utilization of BCG increases with increasing endoscopic resections from 40% at diagnosis to 72% after 6 resections. The cumulative rate of at least an induction course of BCG plateaus after 3 resections. Lower BCG utilization was associated with advanced age (≥ 80 years), while increased utilization was associated with being married, higher disease stage (Tis and T1) and grade (undifferentiated), and increasing endoscopic resections.

CONCLUSION

A significant fraction of patients with NMIBC do not receive induction BCG despite its proven benefit in minimizing recurrences. Most patients receive BCG only after multiple endoscopic resections. Strategies focused on earlier adoption of BCG to prevent recurrences instead of reacting to recurrences may limit progression and improve survival.

Diagnosis and Treatment of Non-Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer: AUA/SUO Guideline

PURPOSE

Although associated with an overall favorable survival rate, the heterogeneity of non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) affects patients' rates of recurrence and progression. Risk stratification should influence evaluation, treatment and surveillance. This guideline attempts to provide a clinical framework for the management of NMIBC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic review utilized research from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and additional supplementation by the authors and consultant methodologists. Evidence-based statements were based on body of evidence strength Grade A, B, or C and were designated as Strong, Moderate, and Conditional Recommendations with additional statements presented in the form of Clinical Principles or Expert Opinions.(1) RESULTS: A risk-stratified approach categorizes patients into broad groups of low-, intermediate-, and high-risk. Importantly, the evaluation and treatment algorithm takes into account tumor characteristics and uniquely considers a patient's response to therapy. The 38 statements vary in level of evidence, but none include Grade A evidence, and many were Grade C.

CONCLUSION

The intensity and scope of care for NMIBC should focus on patient, disease, and treatment response characteristics. This guideline attempts to improve a clinician's ability to evaluate and treat each patient, but higher quality evidence in future trials will be essential to improve level of care for these patients.

Factors associated with the Journal Impact Factor (JIF) for Urology and Nephrology Journals

PURPOSE

The Journal Impact Factor (JIF) is an index used to compare a journal's quality among academic journals and it is commonly used as a proxy for journal quality. We sought to examine the JIF in order to elucidate the main predictors of the index while generating awareness among scientific community regarding need to modify the index calculation in the attempt to turn it more accurate.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Under the Urology and Nephrology category in the Journal Citations Report Website, the top 17 Journals by JIF in 2011 were chosen for the study. All manuscripts' abstracts published from 2009-2010 were reviewed; each article was categorized based on its research design (Retrospective, Review, etc). T and correlation tests were performed for categorical and continuous variables respectively. The JIF was the dependent variable. All variables were then included in a multivariate model.

RESULTS

23,012 articles from seventeen journals were evaluated with a median of 1,048 (range=78-6,342) articles per journal. Journals with a society affiliation were associated with a higher JIF (p=0.05). Self-citations (rho=0.57, p=0.02), citations for citable articles (rho=0.73,p=0.001), citations to non-citable articles (rho=0.65,p=0.0046), and retrospective studies (rho=-0.51,p=0.03) showed a strong correlation. Slight modifications to include the non-citable articles in the denominator yield drastic changes in the JIF and the ranking of the journals.

CONCLUSION

The JIF appears to be closely associated with the number of citable articles published. A change in the formula for calculating JIF to include all types of published articles in the denominator would result in a more accurate representation.