Bone metastases from urothelial carcinoma. The dark side of the moon

Impact of concomitant medications on the oncologic efficacy of systemic therapy in patients with advanced or metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) and chemotherapy, including antibody-drug conjugates, are widely used for the treatment of patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (UC). The majority of elderly patients receive concomitant medications to address various comorbidities. We aimed to evaluate the impact of concomitant medications on oncological outcomes in patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic UC treated with systemic therapy.

MATERIAL & METHODS

In August 2024, three datasets were queried for studies evaluating concomitant medications in patients with advanced unresectable or metastatic UC. The review protocol was registered in PROSPERO (CRD42024547335). The primary outcome was overall survival (OS). A fixed- or random-effects model was used for meta-analysis depending on the heterogeneity.

RESULTS

We identified 16 eligible studies (3 prospective and 13 retrospective) comprising 4,816 patients. Most reported concomitant medications included proton pump inhibitors (PPIs), antibiotics, steroids, and opioids. The use of concomitant PPIs, antibiotics, steroids or opioids during ICI therapy was associated with worsened OS (PPIs: HR: 1.43, 95% CI: 1.31-1.57, p < 0.001; antibiotics: HR: 1.2, 95% CI: 1.04-1.38, p = 0.01; steroids: HR: 1.45, 95% CI: 1.25-1.67, p < 0.001; and opioids: HR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.46-2.07, p < 0.001). Concomitant use of antibiotics during chemotherapy did not impact OS (HR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.67-1.51).

CONCLUSIONS

When treating advanced unresectable or metastatic UC with ICI therapy, we need to pay attention to concomitant medications, such as PPIs and antibiotics to avoid reducing the efficacy of ICI therapy. The mechanism of action of these drugs on ICI efficacy requires further examination.

Prognostic Impact of Bone Metastasis in Patients With Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma Treated With Durvalumab With or Without Tremelimumab in the DANUBE Study

INTRODUCTION

Bone metastases (BM) in metastatic urothelial carcinoma (mUC) may impact patient outcomes, but their independent effect with immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) is uncertain. We aimed to assess the impact of BM and PD-L1 status on outcomes in mUC patients treated with ICIs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

This post hoc analysis of the DANUBE study included 1032 mUC patients treated with durvalumab (D), D + tremelimumab (T), or standard chemotherapy (SoC). Patients were categorized by BM status and assessed for median overall survival (mOS) and median progression-free survival (mPFS) stratified by PD-L1 expression and treatment arm.  RESULTS: Among all patients enrolled in the study, those with BM had a lower mOS than those with no BM (8.7 vs. 15.8 months; P < .0001). Patients with BM and high PD-L1 expression, treated with D or D + T, had numerically longer mOS than patients with BM and low PD-L1 expression. In contrast, in the chemotherapy arm, there was no difference in mOS for BM or no BM, based on PD-L1 expression. Patients with BM had shorter mPFS compared to no BM (2.6 vs. 5.4 months; P < .0001). The study is limited by its post hoc nature.

CONCLUSION

Presence of BM was associated with worse outcomes across treatment arms. Patients with BM and high PD-L1 expression treated with D or D + T had longer mOS, suggesting potential benefits of ICIs in this subgroup. Consideration of BM and PD-L1 status in treatment decisions for mUC patients receiving ICIs may improve clinical outcomes.

Occult urothelial carcinoma with mediastinal metastasis: A case report

Occult urothelial carcinoma (UC), particularly with mediastinal metastases, is an uncommon clinical occurrence. The present study describes the unusual case of a 70-year-old male patient who developed mediastinal metastases from an occult UC. Histological evaluations and immunohistochemical features of the mediastinal tumor were indicative of UC; however, extensive imaging failed to identify the primary urological lesion. The findings suggest that mediastinal metastases from UCs, despite their rarity, should be considered in cases where patients with mediastinal tumors exhibit chest-related symptoms. Prompt pathological examinations are crucial for ascertaining the nature and origin of the tumor. Moreover, individualized treatment should be performed in strict accordance with the established oncology guidelines.

Clinical variables associated with immune checkpoint inhibitor outcomes in patients with metastatic urothelial carcinoma: a multicentre retrospective cohort study

OBJECTIVES

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are indicated for metastatic urothelial cancer (mUC), but predictive and prognostic factors are lacking. We investigated clinical variables associated with ICI outcomes.

METHODS

We performed a multicentre retrospective cohort study of 135 patients who received ICI for mUC, 2016-2021, at three Canadian centres. Clinical characteristics, body mass index (BMI), metastatic sites, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), response and survival were abstracted from chart review.

RESULTS

We identified 135 patients and 62% had received ICI as a second-line or later treatment for mUC. A BMI ≥25 was significantly correlated to a higher overall response rate (ORR) (45.4% vs 16.3%, p value=0.020). Patients with BMI ≥30 experienced longer median overall survival (OS) of 24.8 vs 14.4 for 25≤BMI<30 and 8.5 months for BMI <25 (p value=0.012). The ORR was lower in the presence of bone metastases (16% vs 41%, p value=0.006) and liver metastases (16% vs 39%, p value=0.013). Metastatic lymph nodes were correlated with higher ORR (40% vs 20%, p value=0.032). The median OS for bone metastases was 7.3 versus 18 months (p value <0.001). Patients with liver metastases had a median OS of 8.6 versus 15 months (p value=0.006). No difference for lymph nodes metastases (13.5 vs 12.7 months, p value=0.175) was found. NLR ≥4 had worse OS (8.2 vs 17.7 months, p value=0.0001). In multivariate analysis, BMI ≥30, bone metastases, NLR ≥4, performance status ≥2 and line of ICI ≥2 were independent factors for OS.

CONCLUSIONS

Our data identified BMI and bone metastases as novel clinical biomarkers that were independently associated with ICI outcomes in mUC. External and prospective validation are warranted.

Denosumab-induced hypocalcemia in patients with solid tumors and renal dysfunction: a multicenter, retrospective, observational study

BACKGROUND

Bone metastases are frequently observed in advanced cancer, and bone modifying agents are used to prevent or treat skeletal-related events. Zoledronic acid is contraindicated in patients with severe renal impairment (Ccr < 30 mL/min), but it is not completely known whether denosumab can be used in them. We aimed to determine the association between renal function and hypocalcemia development during denosumab treatment.

METHODS

We included patients with solid cancer and bone metastases who started denosumab treatment between April 2017 and March 2019. They were classified into four groups based on creatinine clearance (Ccr; mL/min): normal (Ccr ≥ 80), mild (50 ≤ Ccr ˂80), moderate (30 ≤ Ccr ˂50), and severe (Ccr ˂30). Hypocalcemia was evaluated using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (v5.0) based on the albumin-adjusted serum calcium levels; its incidence (stratified by renal function) and risk factors were investigated using a Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

Of 524 patients (age: 69 ± 11 years; 303 men), 153 had a normal renal function and 222, 117, and 32 had mild, moderate, and severe renal dysfunction. The albumin-adjusted serum calcium level was higher than the measured (total) calcium level in most patients. The incidence of grade ≥ 1 hypocalcemia was 32.0% in the normal group and 37.4%, 29.9%, and 62.5% in the mild, moderate, and severe renal dysfunction groups, respectively. It was, therefore, higher in the severe renal dysfunction groups than in the normal group (P = 0.002). The incidence of grade ≥ 3 hypocalcemia did not differ significantly among the groups. Pre-treatment low serum calcium levels and severe renal dysfunction were risk factors for hypocalcemia.

CONCLUSIONS

Evaluating denosumab-induced hypocalcemia required albumin adjustment, and its incidence was high among patients with severe renal dysfunction. Reduced serum calcium levels and severely impaired renal function were associated with an elevated hypocalcemia risk.

Urothelial Carcinoma With Bone Metastasis Mimicking Sciatica: A Common Neoplasm With an Uncommon Presentation

Bone metastasis in urothelial cancer is underreported and not well-researched. A case of urothelial carcinoma (UC) with bone metastasis presenting as musculoskeletal pain is reported. The patient presented with persistent lower back pain associated with right lower extremity pain, numbness, and tingling. Initially, a diagnosis of sciatica was suspected, but the patient did not respond to treatment. An MRI spine was done, which revealed a bright signal mass in the vertebral body suspicious for a metastatic lesion, left hydroureteronephrosis, and a nonspecific cystic focus in the right iliacus muscle. Subsequent imaging revealed an irregular soft tissue mass at the left posterolateral bladder base, resulting in apparent obstruction of the left ureter, highly suggestive of neoplasm, along with numerous lytic bone lesions in the pelvic girdle with associated soft tissue masses, consistent with metastatic disease. The patient underwent an interventional radiology biopsy of the right iliac soft tissue mass to evaluate the lytic bony lesions, which revealed metastatic carcinoma, consistent with UC. A prompt referral was made for urology and oncology consultations. The patient underwent left percutaneous nephrostomy placement for obstruction, but he was not a candidate for any systemic therapy because of his poor performance status, and hospice was recommended as his metastatic disease was not curable and the goal of any kind of treatment was palliative. The optimal treatment for UC with bone metastasis remains divergent, and the management options should be determined as part of a shared decision-making process. This case highlights the importance of having a high suspicion of neoplastic pathology in patients presenting with musculoskeletal pain, like back pain, and not responding to treatment. This should alert the physicians to the potential for serious disease processes.

Prevalence and risk factors of bone metastasis and the development of bone metastatic prognostic classification system: a pan-cancer population study

BACKGROUND

The prevalence of bone metastasis (BM) varies among primary cancer patients, and it has a significant impact on prognosis. However, there is a lack of research in this area. This study aims to explore the clinical characteristics, prevalence, and risk factors, and to establish a prognostic classification system for pan-cancer patients with BM.

METHODS

The data obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results database were investigated. The prevalence and prognosis of patients with BM were analyzed. Hierarchical clustering was used to develop a prognostic classification system.

RESULTS

From 2010 to 2019, the prevalence of BM has increased by 41.43%. BM most commonly occurs in cancers that originate in the adrenal gland, lung and bronchus and overlapping lesion of digestive systems. Negative prognostic factors included older age, male sex, poorer grade, unmarried status, low income, non-metropolitan living, advanced tumor stages, previous chemotherapy, and synchronous liver, lung, and brain metastasis. Three categories with significantly different survival time were identified in the classification system.

CONCLUSIONS

The clinical features, prevalence, risk factors, and prognostic factors in pan-cancer patients with BM were investigated. A prognostic classification system was developed to provide survival information and aid physicians in selecting personalized treatment plans for patients with BM.

Prognostic factors and nomogram for the overall survival of bladder cancer bone metastasis: A SEER-based study

Bone metastasis has a poor prognosis in patients with bladder cancer (BC). This study aimed to construct a prognostic nomogram for predicting the overall survival of patients with bone-metastatic BC (BMBC). The Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database was used to recruit patients with BMBC between 2010 and 2018. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to screen for prognostic factors and construct a nomogram. Harrell concordance index, receiver operating characteristic curve, and calibration curve were used to verify the prognostic nomograms. All statistical analyses and chart formation were performed using SPSS 23.0 and R software 4.1.2. A total of 1361 patients diagnosed with BMBC were identified in the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. Six independent prognostic factors, including marital status, histological type, T stage, other metastases, surgery, and chemotherapy, were identified and included in the nomogram construction. Among them, chemotherapy contributed the most to the prognosis in the nomogram. The concordance index of the nomogram was 0.745 and 0.753 in the training and validation groups, respectively, and all values of the area under the curve were >0.77. The calibration curves showed perfect consistency between the observed and predicted survival rates. The prognostic nomogram developed in this study is expected to become an accurate and individualized tool for predicting overall survival in patients with BMBC and providing guidance for appropriate treatment or care.

Tumor microenvironment and epithelial-mesenchymal transition in bladder cancer: Cytokines in the game?

Bladder cancer (BlCa) is a highly immunogenic cancer. Bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) is the standard treatment for non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) patients and, recently, second-line immunotherapies have arisen to treat metastatic BlCa patients. Understanding the interactions between tumor cells, immune cells and soluble factors in bladder tumor microenvironment (TME) is crucial. Cytokines and chemokines released in the TME have a dual role, since they can exhibit both a pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory potential, driving infiltration and inflammation, and also promoting evasion of immune system and pro-tumoral effects. In BlCa disease, 70-80% are non-muscle invasive bladder cancer, while 20-30% are muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) at the time of diagnosis. However, during the follow up, about half of treated NMIBC patients recur once or more, with 5-25% progressing to muscle-invasive bladder cancer, which represents a significant concern to the clinic. Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is one biological process associated with tumor progression. Specific cytokines present in bladder TME have been related with signaling pathways activation and EMT-related molecules regulation. In this review, we summarized the immune landscape in BlCa TME, along with the most relevant cytokines and their putative role in driving EMT processes, tumor progression, invasion, migration and metastasis formation.

Organ-Specific and Mixed Responses to Pembrolizumab in Patients with Unresectable or Metastatic Urothelial Carcinoma: A Multicenter Retrospective Study

To investigate the organ-specific response and clinical outcomes of mixed responses (MRs) to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) for unresectable or metastatic urothelial carcinoma (ur/mUC), we retrospectively analyzed 136 patients who received pembrolizumab. The total objective response rate (ORR) and organ-specific ORR were determined for each lesion according to the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors version 1.1 as follows: (i) complete response (CR), (ii) partial response (PR), (iii) stable disease (SD), and (iv) progressive disease (PD). Most of the organ-specific ORR was 30−40%, but bone metastasis was only 5%. There was a significant difference in overall survival (OS) between responders and non-responders with locally advanced lesions and lymph node, lung, or liver metastases (HR 9.02 (3.63−22.4) p < 0.0001; HR 3.63 (1.97−6.69), p < 0.0001; HR 2.75 (1.35−5.59), p = 0.0053; and HR 3.17 (1.00−10.0), p = 0.049, respectively). MR was defined as occurring when PD happened in one lesion plus either CR or PR occurred in another lesion simultaneously, and 12 cases were applicable. MR was significantly associated with a poorer prognosis than that of the responder group (CR or PR; HR 0.09 (0.02−0.35), p = 0.004). Patients with bone metastases benefitted less. Care may be needed to treat patients with MR as well as patients with pure PD. Further studies should be conducted in the future.