Cystatin C predicts renal function impairment after partial or radical tumor nephrectomy

The relationship between preoperative serum cystatin C levels and postoperative oncologic outcomes in patients with renal cell carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis of 1641 patients

An increasing number of studies have indicated that cystatin C (CysC) may serve as an effective indicator for predicting the prognosis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). However, there was currently a lack of meta-analysis examining the influence of serum CysC on the prognosis of RCC. From April 2016 to June 2024, we ultimately selected five retrospective studies including 1641 participants to evaluate the effect of serum CysC on patients with RCC. All data were analyzed using Review Manager version 5.3. The research findings primarily focused on overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS). Both univariate and multivariate analyses were conducted to evaluate the results. Five studies involving a total of 1641 patients were selected based on predefined eligibility criteria. Univariate analysis revealed that serum CysC levels were significantly correlated with OS (P < 0.00001) and DFS (P = 0.02) in postoperative patients with RCC. Elevated serum CysC levels were considered a reliable predictor of poor prognosis in patients with RCC. Multivariate analysis indicated that high serum CysC levels were an independent risk factor for OS (P < 0.00001) and DFS (P = 0.006) in postoperative patients with RCC, remaining unaffected by other factors. Our research results indicated that elevated serum CysC levels were associated with reduced OS and DFS in patients with RCC. However, caution must be exercised before making recommendations as this interpretation was based on very few clinical studies and small samples.

Comparison of In-Hospital Outcomes at Robot-Assisted Versus Open Partial Nephrectomy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this work is to quantify the magnitude of improvement in in-hospital outcomes between historical and contemporary robot-assisted partial nephrectomy (RPN) versus historical and contemporary open PN (OPN).

METHODS

Within the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (2010-2019), we identified patients who underwent RPN and OPN. Multivariable logistic regression models were fit.

RESULTS

Historical (2010-2014) versus contemporary (2015-2019) proportions were 39% (n = 5,897) versus 61% (n = 9168) for RPN and 59% (n = 7289) versus 41% (n = 5,120) for OPN. Relative to historical, contemporary RPN patients exhibited significantly better in-hospital outcomes in 6 of 12 categories that ranged from-76% for intraoperative complications to-24% for length of stay (LOS) ≥ 75th percentile. Relative to historical, contemporary OPN patients also exhibited significantly better in-hospital outcomes in 7 of 12 categories that ranged from-76% for intraoperative complications to-23% for LOS ≥ 75th percentile. When historical RPN was compared with historical OPN, RPN in-hospital outcomes were better in 10 of 12 comparisons that ranged from-75% for LOS ≥ 75th percentile to-28% for perioperative bleeding. Similarly, when contemporary RPN was compared with contemporary OPN, RPN outcomes were better in 8 of 12 comparisons that ranged from-75% for LOS ≥ 75th percentile to-27% for postoperative complications.

CONCLUSION

The magnitude of improvement in in-hospital outcomes was more pronounced for contemporary versus historical OPN (seven improved categories) than for contemporary versus historical RPN (six improved categories). However, contemporary RPN outperformed contemporary OPN patients in eight in-hospital outcome categories.

Patient and tumor characteristics of histological subtypes of renal cell carcinoma and its risk of upstaging to ≥pT3

OBJECTIVE

To explore how histological subtypes impact upstaging to nonorgan confined renal cell carcinoma (≥pT3 RCC) in patients treated with partial/radical nephrectomy for cT1-2 RCC.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We relied on an institutional tertiary-care database to identify RCC patients treated with partial/radical nephrectomy between January 2002 and December 2021. Patients were stratified according to histological subtype of RCC. Upstaging was defined as any cT1-2 tumor classified as ≥pT3 at final pathology. Uni- and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to predict upstaging.

RESULTS

Of overall 1,020 surgically treated RCC patients, 743 harbored clear-cell (72.8%) vs. 193 (18.9%) papillary vs. 49 (4.8%) chromophobe vs. each 4 (0.4%) collecting duct and sarcomatoid vs. 27 (2.6%) other/mixed pathology of RCC. Median tumor size ranged from 3.0 cm (mixed RCC) to 7.7 cm (sarcomatoid RCC). In total, upstaging rate to ≥pT3 was 22% and ranged from 6.1% (chromophobe RCC) to 75% (collecting duct RCC). In univariable logistic regression models, chromophobe and papillary histological subtypes were significantly associated with lower upstaging of all cT1-2 RCC tumors. After controlling for patient and tumor characteristics in multivariable logistic regression models, papillary RCC independently lowers the risk of upstaging, even in sensitivity analyses for cT1 RCC only.

CONCLUSION

Important differences between histological subtypes of RCC exist regarding characteristics such as stage and tumor size at presentation, as well as upstaging to ≥pT3 at final pathology. Specifically, papillary RCC is significantly associated with lower chance of upstaging even after controlling for confounding parameters. The study is limited by missing central pathological/radiographic review and lack of survival analyses.

Comparison of peri- and intraoperative outcomes of open vs robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma: a propensity-matched analysis

BACKGROUND

Partial nephrectomy (PN) is the gold standard surgical treatment for resectable renal cell carcinoma (RCC) tumors. However, the decision whether a robotic (RAPN) or open PN (OPN) approach is chosen is often based on the surgeon's individual experience and preference. To overcome the inherent selection bias when comparing peri- and postoperative outcomes of RAPN vs. OPN, a strict statistical methodology is needed.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We relied on an institutional tertiary-care database to identify RCC patients treated with RAPN and OPN between January 2003 and January 2021. Study endpoints were estimated blood loss (EBL), length of stay (LOS), rate of intraoperative and postoperative complications, and trifecta. In the first step of analyses, descriptive statistics and multivariable regression models (MVA) were applied. In the second step of analyses, to validate initial findings, MVA were applied after 2:1 propensity-score matching (PSM).

RESULTS

Of 615 RCC patients, 481 (78%) underwent OPN vs 134 (22%) RAPN. RAPN patients were younger and presented with a smaller tumor diameter and lower RENAL-Score sum, respectively. Median EBL was comparable, whereas LOS was shorter in RAPN vs. OPN. Both intraoperative (27 vs 6%) and Clavien-Dindo > 2 complications (11 vs 3%) were higher in OPN (both < 0.05), whereas achievement of trifecta was higher in RAPN (65 vs 54%; p = 0.028). In MVA, RAPN was a significant predictor for shorter LOS, lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications as well as higher trifecta rates. After 2:1 PSM with subsequent MVA, RAPN remained a statistical and clinical predictor for lower rates of intraoperative and postoperative complications and higher rates of trifecta achievement but not LOS.

CONCLUSIONS

Differences in baseline and outcome characteristics exist between RAPN vs. OPN, probably due to selection bias. However, after applying two sets of statistical analyses, RAPN seems to be associated with more favorable outcomes regarding complications and trifecta rates.

Genitourinary Cancer: Updates on Treatments and Their Impact on the Kidney

Genitourinary cancers are diverse in their presentation, prevalence, and mortality risk. Although there have been significant advancements in medical (eg, immune checkpoint inhibitors and tyrosine kinase inhibitors) and surgical treatments of genitourinary cancers, patients are still at risk for chronic kidney disease, hypertension, and electrolyte derangements in the short and long term. In addition, pre-existing kidney disease may increase the risk of developing some genitourinary cancers. This review focuses on the kidney-related effects of treatments for renal cell carcinoma and bladder and prostate cancers.

Kidney Failure in Children with Wilms Tumor: A Study Based on Urine Analysis and Ultrasound

BACKGROUND

Renal insufficiency is one of the inevitable complications in patients with Wilms tumor (WT). The purpose of this study was to assess the renal function in children with WT at baseline and every 3 months to 2 years.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In a descriptive-analytical study from 2018 to 2020, 48 children with WT were included in the study. Urine creatinine (U_Cr), serum calcium (S_Cr), blood pressure (BP), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), and urinary protein (U_Pro) were evaluated at baseline and every 3 months during the study. Spot U_Ca/U_Cr and spot U_Pro/U_Cr ratio were calculated. Kidney ultrasonography was used in all patients. Independent Sample t-test and Chi-square tests were utilized to compare age and sex, respectively.

RESULTS

The mean age of patients at follow-up was 7.3 years. There was no significant difference in mean U_Cr, S_Cr, eGFR, 24-h U_Pro, U_Ca/U_Cr ratio, and spot U_Pro/U_Cr ratio at baseline and end of study (P _baseline> 0.05, P _{end of study}> 0.05). Analysis of kidney size showed a statistical association with tumor stage (P < 0.05). Comparison of the kidney size in patients showed that there is a statistically significant difference (P < 0.0001) at baseline and end of the study.

CONCLUSION

This study showed that as WT progressed, the size of the kidneys increases without any renal insufficiency. Therefore, it seems that urinalysis of patients with WT along with sonography is necessary to determine renal insufficiency and the use of ultrasound alone to determine kidney insufficiency is not recommended.

An external validation of the nocera nomogram: Predicting non-organ confined stage of ≥pT3 in cT1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Background

Only one previously published study by Nocera et al. addressed the risk of upstaging to ≥pT3 in cT1 clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) by using characteristics of the R.E.N.A.L and PADUA score (age, tumor size, rim location, exophytic rate, polar involvement) developing an accurate nomogram. However, this nomogram has never been externally validated yet.

Material and methods

The study cohort consisted of 288 patients with cT1a-b ccRCC, diagnosed between 2008-2021 at the University Hospital Frankfurt, Germany. Analyses addressed clinical, tumor and radiographic characteristics. The external validation of the nomogram relied on accuracy calculations derived from the area under the curve of the receiver operator characteristic analysis.

Results

Overall, 11.8% (n=34) patients harbored ≥pT3 ccRCC. Median radiographic tumor size (3.6 vs. 5.3cm), R.E.N.A.L. (8 vs. 9 points) and PADUA score (9 vs. 11 points), as well as proportions of renal sinus involvement (82.4% vs. 51.6%), renal hilus involvement (44.1 vs. 13.0%), and medial rim location significantly differed between the pT1-2 and ≥pT3 group (all p ≤ 0.01). In subgroup analyses of small renal mass ccRCC patients (<4cm, cT1a), only 3.8% (n=6) patients had ≥pT3 pathology. Upstaged patients were significantly older and more frequently had endophytic tumor than pT1-2 counterparts (p<0.05). The external validation of the Nocera nomogram showed a good accuracy of 76.6%. Using the suggested cut-off of 21%, 26.5% of patients exhibited ≥pT3 ccRCC. Conversely, within patients below cut-off, 5.9% patients exhibited ≥pT3 ccRCC.

Conclusion

We reported the first external validation of the nomogram addressing the risk of ≥pT3 in cT1 ccRCC patients, demonstrating a good accuracy, with a low false-negative rate. Therefore, the nomogram can accurately be used for patients’ counselling and treatment decision making.

Association between preoperative serum Cystatin-C levels and postsurgical oncological prognosis in patients with PRCC: A retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVE

Cystatin-C (Cys-C) is a predictor of several malignancies. However, whether Cys-C levels predict prognosis in patients with papillary renal cell carcinoma (PRCC) remains uncertain. The aim of this study was to assess the correlation between Cys-C and clinical outcomes in patients with PRCC.

METHODS

The medical records of 137 patients with PRCC who underwent surgery at our institution from January 2008 to December 2020 were retrospectively analyzed. Data were divided into two subgroups based on cutoff values and the relationship between the Cys-C group and their clinical outcomes was assessed.

RESULTS

By the last follow-up, 62 patients had died of various causes, 53 of whom died from PRCC. Sixty patients suffered recurrence or metastasis during follow-up. Based on the cutoff value, the patients were divided into two groups: low Cys-C group (Cys-C < 1.25 mg/L, n = 92) and high Cys-C group (Cys-C ≥ 1.25 mg/L, n = 45). Pathological classification and serum Cys-C levels were shown to be independent prognostic factors affecting clinical outcomes, according to multivariate Cox regression analysis (p < 0.05). After adjusting the Cox proportional hazards model, the risk of death was elevated in the high Cys-C group. The results of the area under the curve for time-dependent receiver operating characteristics analysis indicated that Cys-C is a stable and reliable prognostic biomarker for predicting survival in patients with PRCC. Forest plots, constructed to better reflect the comparison of hazard ratios between the two groups, confirmed that Cys-C levels were significantly associated with worsening overall survival.

CONCLUSION

This study is the first to examine the relationship between preoperative serum Cys-C levels and prognostic overall survival in patients with PRCC. Cys-C may be a useful biomarker for preoperative screening of high-risk patients who may require adjuvant therapy.

Role of cystatin C in urogenital malignancy

Urogenital malignancy accounts for one of the major causes of cancer-related deaths globally. Numerous studies have investigated novel molecular markers in the blood circulation, tumor tissue, or urine in order to assist in the clinical identification of tumors at early stages, predict the response of therapeutic strategies, and give accurate prognosis assessment. As an endogenous inhibitor of lysosomal cysteine proteinases, cystatin C plays an integral role in diverse processes. A substantial number of studies have indicated that it may be such a potential promising biomarker. Therefore, this review was intended to provide a detailed overview of the role of cystatin C in urogenital malignancy.